UEFA Champions League action returns this midweek and it doesn’t come better than a clash between Juventus and Barcelona.
The group G match will be the first meeting between both sides since their UCL group stage meeting back in the 2017/18 season.
This is arguably the most anticipated fixture of this season’s group stages because of the prospect of watching Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi do battle on the field of play once more. It will be the first time both legends go against each other since Ronaldo left Real Madrid for Juventus two seasons ago.
Two club legends in the form of Andrea Pirlo and Ronald Koeman will be in charge of their respective squads. Both will be looking to outclass the other tactically and claim the bragging rights after the encounter on Wednesday.
Both teams have been training ahead of this fixture and will be looking to secure maximum 3 points at the Allianz stadium in Turin.
Team News
Christiano Ronaldo faces the threat of missing his reunion with Lionel Messi after testing positive for Covid-19 again last week. However, in his press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Juventus coach, Andrea Pirlo gave fans a glimmer of hope.
He revealed that there will be late tests to see if Cr7 will feature on Wednesday night. He further revealed that Weston McKennie, Giorgio Chiellini and Matthijs de Ligt are out and will not play in the match.
Alex Sandro is another injury concern for the Old Lady while Leonardo Bonucci’s condition will be evaluated before the game.
Barcelona will be without Gerard Pique who is suspended after a silly red card against Ferencvaros last time out.
Phillipe Coutinho has reportedly picked up a musvle injury amd won’t be available on Wednesday. 17-year old Pedri could deputise after starting the clasico at the weekend. Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Samuel Umtiti are the other injury absentees for Ronald Koeman’s side.
Possible lineups
Juventus : Szczesny, Bonicci, Demiral, Cuadrado, Danilo, Arthur, Ramsey, Chiesa, Rabiot, Kulusevski, Morata.
Barcelona XI: Neto, Lenglet, Araujo, Roberto, Alba, Frankie De Jong, Busquets, Messi, Pedri, Fati, Griezmann.
Prediction :
Neither Juventus nor Barcelona are in great shape heading into this game. Christiano Ronaldo mighy miss out while Lionel Messi has been underperforming for Barcelona.
Juventus are unbeaten in all competitions this season but have only won two of their six matches on the pitch, with the other victory awarded after Napoli failed to turn up.
Barcelona lost 3-1 at home to Real Madrid on Saturday and have now lost two of their last three matches. Although they are unbeaten in their last four matches with Juventus, the Old Lady have a real opportunity to end that run.
What should be a spectacle may well end up being a disappointment.
Predicted scoreline : Juventus 1-0 Barcelona
What is your prediction for this match? Let us know in the comment section below.