Last month saw one of the more interesting match-ups of this season's Champions League round of 16, with Juventus taking on Bayern Munich. And indeed, the first leg did not disappoint as the champions of Italy and Germany battled to a two-all draw, leaving much to play for as they re-unite in Munich later today.
Although die Roten hold an advantage with two vital away goals in hand, the Bianconeri will not be going down without a fight. It will be indeed an interesting tacticial clash as both Massimiliano Allegri and Pep Guardiola try to outwit each other as each hopes to guide his respective side into the quarter-finals - and perhaps beyond. So, ahead of tonight's big game - which will feature some of Europe's most notable players - we take a quick look at some interesting stats, facts, and history as the Bundesliga and Serie A leaders prepare to square off at the Allianz Arena.
1. Buffon > Neuer? Neuer > Buffon? Or Buffon = Neuer?
Arguably, two of the biggest stars tonight will not be the attackers, but the two men between the posts for Bayern Munich and Juventus. Both Manuel Neuer and Gianluigi Bufffon are widely regarded as two of the top shot-stoppers in the world and have enjoyed highly successful careers both at domestic and international level.
Both Neuer and Buffon are World Cup winners, with the latter clinching the title in 2014 with die Mannschaft and the former winning it in 2006 with gli Azzurri. Both have also been part of teams that have been crowned champions of their respective leagues numerous times, including consecutive titles for the past couple of seasons.
In Neuer's case, Bayern have won the last three Bundesliga titles and are certain to make it a historic fourth. Buffon, meanwhile (not including the two that were taken away from Juve due to the Calciopoli scandal) has picked up four consecutive Scudetti and could make it five this May. And both, naturally have been deservedly recognized for their achievements on a personal level, with Buffon being just four minutes away from setting a Serie A clean sheet record and Neuer coming in third at last year's Ballon d'Or nomination, for instance.
However, one area that Neuer can have bragging rights over his older counterpart is the Champions League, which he won in 2013; Buffon, to date, has featured in two finals, including last season's edition, but has unfortunately had to settle for a runners' up medal.
So, who's the better goalkeeper? Buffon? Neuer? Given that a player cannot win a title by himself, one could argue that it is all subject to personal opinion. But there is one thing that does not lie: numbers, and this stat may or may not surprise anyone: as per Opta, the have the exact same save percentage:
1 - Congratulations for winning the French championship Kevin Trapp (@PSG_inside )! NumberOne. pic.twitter.com/chg0qAlwkC
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) March 14, 2016
2. Home pitch advantage for Bayern Munich?
It goes without saying that mostly, the home team has the advantage. In the case of Bayern Munich, this saying is easily backed up by sheer numbers. Out of their past 20 European matches, die Roten have failed to win just twice after drawing the first leg on the road.
The two teams that beat them? First was Liverpool during the 1980/1981 season, in which the Reds progressed on away goals in the semi-finals. And the most recent was AC Milan during the 2006/2007 term, when the Rossoneri beat them 2-0 at the Allianz Arena after a 2-2 draw in the first leg of that year's quarter-finals.
Bayern Munich have also won their last nine European games at home, and will be hoping to make it ten this evening.
3. However, Juve have not done too badly on the road, either...
Although they face a tough task, the Bianconeri have done pretty well in two-legged ties when they have drawn the first leg at home. In their past seven European ties, Juventus have won the past six. The only exception is against Wolverhampton Wanderers - who now are in the Championship - during the 1971/1972 UEFA Cup (Europa League) quarter-finals, when they lost 2-1 on in England after a 1-1 draw in Italy.
4. The ex-factor: Arturo Vidal and Mario Mandzukic
Today's game will again be an interesting one for both Arturo Vidal and Mario Mandzukic. The first leg in Turin was the first visit for the Chilean midfielder since departing Juventus this past summer after winning 4 Scudetti and making it to the Champions League final. And now, this evening, the Croatian attacker could make his return to the Allianz Arena after leaving Bayern Munich back in 2014; during his two seasons in Munich he won two Bundesliga titles and the Champions League.
Interestingly, this will be the sixth time these players have faced off in club competition in recent seasons, which includes twice last campaign whilst Vidal was still with Juve and Mandzukic was plying his trade with Atletico Madrid.
Vidal is still seeking his first European goal with Bayern, whilst Mandzukic has scored twice for Juve this season - and in both of those games, the Bianconeri won the match. Will either manage to find the back of the net tonight?
5. He's beaten quite a few teams, but so far, Juve ain't one
So far, Guardiola has faced Juventus a total of three times - twice as a player, and once as a coach. From 2001-2003, the former Barcelona midfielder spent a few seasons in Serie A, first with Brescia and then with Roma. Should he guide Bayern to victory tonight, it will be the first time he has beaten Juventus, after losing twice during his playing days and drawing his first meeting last month.
6. Lewandowski + Muller > Juve?
Well, in terms of goals, at least. Prior to February's game, Polish striker Robert Lewandowski had scored seven goals, one more than the entire squad of Juventus, who had netted six. In last month's 2-2 draw, German star Thomas Muller scored Bayern's first, bringing his total to six for this campaign.
Simply put, in total, Lewandowski and Muller have scored 13 goals, whilst Juventus have scored eight. With key defender Giorgio Chiellini out, the Bianconeri will face a really tough task to keep both of these attackers quiet; between them, they have netted 61 goals across all competitions, which is ten more than Juve's whole total in Serie A.
Two-man wrecking machine: Juventus will have to try to contain the dual threat of Muller and Lewandowski if they want to progress tonight
7. Meeting number 10 in less than 12 years...what's to come?
Tonight's match will be the tenth competitive meeting between Bayern Munich and Juventus since they first faced off back on October 19, 2004 in the Champions League group stages.
During the 2004/2005 season, the Bianconeri beat die Roten both home and away by a score-line of 1-0, but following that, they have not defeated the Bavarian giants since November 2, 2005.
As of now, here's how the two sides compare in terms of head to head record:
- Bayern Munich: 4 wins
- Juventus: 3 wins
- Draws: 2
In addition, should Juventus win tonight, it will be their first victory at the Allianz Arena since November 3, 2004. Should they score, it will be their first goal in Munich since October 18, 2005, when they lost 2-1.
What will fans see in meeting no. 10 in a few hours' time? Will Bayern again send Juventus tumbling out of European competition? Or will the Bianconeri have another surprise in store for them?
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