Real Madrid vs Juventus Preview
Juventus travel to Madrid with a goal’s lead against their opponents, courtesy of their in-form forwards Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata.
"We need to win, that is fundamental. However, above all, we need to have a cool head, be patient and not go crazy. The game is 90 minutes long and we need to make that seem like a long time for Juventus and make them suffer without the ball." said Dani Carvajal on the Real Madrid’s official website. The defender previously went on to state that Real Madrid can say “goodbye” to the title following their 2-2 draw against Valencia. Real Madrid trail Barcelona by 4 points in the league, with just two games in hand, winning the league looks difficult as Barcelona only need a win to ensure the League title.
Defender Giorgio Chiellini believes this game to be the biggest in his 10 years playing for Juventus, "We can't wait for Wednesday evening to come. This is the most prestigious and important game I'll be playing in since I joined the club. I've been here for 10 years and 12 have gone past since we last reached a semi-final. We've got better and matured as the competition has worn on and getting past the last 16 and then the quarter-finals gave us added awareness in our own abilities” said the Italian defender.
Karim Benzema is expected to return for the game against the Italian league winners. Toni Kroos too should be available for selection but playing the German in the game could be a great risk as he picked up an injury against Valencia.
Paul Pogba is expected to return today after a two month long injury spell which kept him on the sidelines. The highly rated French Midfielder can be the key to holding Madrid in Bernabeu.
Interestingly, not a single tie between these clubs at the Bernabeu has ended as a draw. Real Madrid have won one of the four Champions League knockout ties against Juventus. Juventus’s only loss came in the 1998 final. It is definitely going to be an interesting match to watch as Real Madrid’s only chance to make up for the Slip up in La liga while the Italian League winners plan to go to Berlin for the first time since 2003.