Each Champions League campaign undoubtedly has its own Cinderella story. In 2013, it was Borussia Dortmund making it to the finals against their more monied-opponents in a first-ever all German final. Last season's fairytale team was by far Atletico Madrid, who not only finally broke the duopoly in La Liga by successfully holding off Barcelona and Real Madrid for the league title, but made it all the way to the UCL final before finally being undone by their city rivals.
This season, though, has not started off as Los Colchoneros would have liked as they succumbed to a surprise 3-2 reversal on the road to Greek outfit Olympiakos. As a result, Diego Simeone's men now have to dig themselves out against Italian opposition, something that they are not unfamiliar with. However unlike last season where they easily cruised through the first knockout rounds by flattening Milan 5-1 on aggregate, this time, they will be pitted against reigning Scudetto champions Juventus.
Interestingly, though, despite their dominance in Italy, the Bianconeri have floundered so far since returning to the European stage. A quarter-final exit to eventual 2013 champions Bayern Munich was followed up with a poor group stage performance last term that saw them dumped out by Galatasaray when they were expected to finish as runners-up to 10-time winners Real Madrid.
And the Italian press didn't mince their words when slamming the Turin giants, so despite winning their first fixture against Malmo thanks to a Carlos Tevez brace, Massimiliano Allegri's troops will still be feeling the pressure as they take on a much tougher opponent than the Scandinavian side.
Still, under Allegri, La Vecchia Signora have been simply dominant at the back, as before Barcelona's capitulation to PSG earlier today, Juventus were only one of two teams remaining in Europe's biggest leagues yet to give up a goal. However, given the quality of Atletico's attack, which includes the likes of Koke as well as new signings Antoine Griezmann and Mario Mandzukic, the Bianconeri's back-line will surely be put to the test, but with faces like Gianluigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini within their ranks it looks to be an entertaing match indeed.
And while midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo is out, his international teammate Claudio Marchisio has proven to be an apt deputy, so this, coupled with Tevez's hot streak in front of goal will certainly give Simeone's squad much food for thought.
Atletico's Starting XI: Moyá, Godín, Ansaldi, Juanfran, Miranda, Tiago, Koke, Raúl García, Arda Turan, Saúl Ñíguez, Mandzukic.
Juventus' Starting XI: Buffon, Chiellini, Cáceres, Bonucci, Lichtsteiner, Evra, Pogba, Marchisio, Vidal, Tévez, Llorente.
Atletico's Subs: Oblak, Siqueira, Giménez, Mario Suarez, Griezmann, Jiménez, Cerci.
Juventus' Subs: Storari, Ogbonna, Padoin, Asamoah, Pereyra, Morata, Giovinco.
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