The stage is set for Juventus to host Real Madrid in what should be an exciting semi-final matchup. The last time both teams met in this stage, the Italian side won and moved on the win the Champions League in 2003. But the last time this two teams met in the competition the game ended in a 2-2 draw and Madrid moved on to win the UCL title in the 2013-14 season.
Real Madrid will arrive at the Juventus stadium without having lost a single game at home and just after ending Sevilla's 34-game unbeaten streak at their own stadium. Cristiano Ronaldo finally scored after a two-game drought and is back again leading the hunt for the Pichichi (42). So his morale should be sky-high.
Ancelotti knows the game won't be easy
.@MrAncelotti: “Juventus go into the game full of confidence and the semi-final will be close" http://t.co/oiOiZvr7hn pic.twitter.com/GVxS83cCC7
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) May 4, 2015
Los Merengues have won eight out of their last nine games and are undefeated on the road in this year's UCL season. The team knows that in order for a shot to repeat as UCL Champions, they must step over the reigning Serie A Champions. These teams met in the 1997-1998 final and the result favored Madrid by 2-1.
While Karim Benzema is not with the team for this game, the French striker is expected to return by the time the second leg comes around. For now, the return of Karim Benzema to the starting XI is good news for Carlo Ancelotti. The Welshman had been out for three games with a calf injury.
Bale has fond memories of playing at Juventus
Gareth Bale scored his first Champions League goal as a Real Madrid player against Juventus. pic.twitter.com/OTIppn5bWf
— SupportingBale (@SupportingBale) April 24, 2015
The man that gave Madrid its ticket to this stage respects their upcoming opponent
Chicharito: Juventus? "We respect every team. We treat each side as if we were up against the greatest"
— Real Madrid Info (@RmadridInfo) May 3, 2015
The home side is not expected to make things easy on Madrid. They have only received one goal in their last four games and scored six. Los Merengues have received four and scored six as well. The experience gained by Gianluigi Buffon as a goalkeeper over the years could make a difference in a game with high-calibre strikers.
Losing Pogba is not a huge concern for
El Apache has won a title with every club he's been at (From Boca Juniors to Juventus)
Campeón de liga con Boca, Corinthians, Manchester Utd, Manchester City y Juventus. Ganador se pronuncia Carlos Tevez. pic.twitter.com/M7J5oasoI0
— VarskySports (@VarskySports) May 2, 2015
Knowing what Real is capable off in the attacking third of the field, the Italian side will be playing with four men on the back and Ancelotti is planning on giving Ramos another shot to play as a midfielder. Only 180 minutes separate any of these two teams from Berlin. One thing is for sure, an Italian manager will be there.
Allegri believes it will not be a scoreless game
#JuveNews Allegri predicts goals in Champions League semi http://t.co/duMVt13yqu | @JuventusFC
— Juventini Indonesia (@JCIndonesia) May 4, 2015
Team sheets for Juventus vs Real Madrid
Juventus' lineup: Buffon, Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra, Marchisio, Pirlo, Sturaro, Vidal, Tevez, Morata.
Real Madrid's lineup: Casillas, Varane, Pepe, Ramos, Ronaldo, Kroos, James, Bale, Marcelo, Carvajal, Isco.
Juventus' subs: Storari, Barzagli, Padoin, Pepe, Pereyra, Llorente, Matri.
Real Madrid's subs: Navas, Coentrao, Chicharito, Lucas Silva, Arbeloa, Jesé, Illarra.
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