What: Champions League Quarter-final – Second leg
Who: Juventus (0) vs Bayern Munich (2) – First leg scores in brackets
When: Wednesday 10th April, 2013, at 19:45 UK Time
Where: Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy
Juventus Look For Big Response
Defeat in Munich last week brought to an end an impressive three-year unbeaten run in Europe. But then again, it is over double that length of time since Juventus have made it to the business end of the Champions League. The 2-0 loss also means that Juventus may lose for the first time in six European quarter-finals against German sides.
There was certainly no shame for Juventus as far as they were concerned by their showing in the Allianz Arena. Coach Antonio Conte has made clear that his team are second favourites for this tie, but he will be urging his men to find a way back from the brink. Although a 2-0 away defeat is extremely difficult to turn around, they will be buoyed by Arsenal’s showing in the last round. They were even further behind after their first leg against Bayern Munich and Juventus will feel they are stronger opponents, too.
The Italian giants can certainly afford to concentrate on Europe now with their nine-point cushion over Napoli making the Bianconeri almost certain champions in Italy for a second successive season. The big questions ahead of this match are how will Conte deal with the enforced absence of the suspended duo Stephan Lichtsteiner and Arturo Vidal? Paul Pogba will likely replace the latter, but the absence of Lichtsteiner is a big blow. Questions remain over the front pairing too, with Alessandro Matri and Fabio Quagliarella uninspired last week. Juventus must find an answer to these questions if they are to have a chance.
Another Nervy Night Ahead?
Victory at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday wrapped up the Bundesliga title in record time for Bayern Munich, who have won it earlier than any other team in history. But the celebration was mooted. For one thing, they had practically won it before the turn of the year. For another, more pressing business now lies ahead as they gear up to defend their lead from last week against the Italians.
No team appear to have the ability to throw away seemingly commanding positions in the Champions League quite as spectacularly as Bayern Munich. Against Arsenal they narrowly avoided adding to the trauma of improbable defeats to Chelsea and Manchester United, while they also have memories of defeat in the 2010 final to Inter Milan.
Jupp Heynckes’ side pressed and passed the Italian champions into submission last week with a fine display. But this is a team who are ruthless in their play and are not given to attacking for the sake of attack. They will play the percentages and do all they can to ensure Juventus cannot find a way back into this game.
Recent form
Juventus:
Inter 1-2 Juventus (30/03; Serie A)
Bayern Munich 2-0 Juventus (02/04; Champions League)
Juventus 2-1 Pescara (06/04; Serie A)
Bayern Munich:
Bayern Munich 9-2 Hamburg (30/03; Bundesliga)
Bayern Munich 2-0 Juventus (02/04; Champions League)
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-1 Bayern Munich (06/04; Bundesliga)
Key absences
Juventus: Sebastien Giovinco (doubt); Arturo Vidal; Stephan Lichtsteiner; Martin Caceres
Bayern Munich: Toni Kroos; Holger Badstuber
Players to watch
Juventus – Mirko Vucinic: Juventus have had question marks over their attackers for some time. In the first leg of this tie Matri failed to shine alongside Quagliarella, and with Sebastien Giovinco struggling with injury Vucinic is likely to start. He scored twice against Pescara at the weekend, the same number he has netted in the Champions League this season. His movement and speed will be vital to try and disrupt Bayern Munich’s solid shape and defensive structure.
Bayern Munich – Javi Martinez: The Spaniard missed the first leg through suspension, but will return in Turin for the second leg. His ability to control a match will be key as Bayern Munich look to keep hold of their advantage from the first leg. So important both as a defensive presence and in an attacking sense, Martinez’s ability to retain the ball in congested areas high up the pitch will be vital if the Germans are to press their opponents well and keep them on the back foot.
Match Prediction
David Alaba’s goal inside half a minute a week ago wiped out a run of 490 minutes without conceding for Juventus in this season’s competition. Whilst the game at the Allianz Arena was seen as a clash between two of the continent’s best defences, Bayern Munich ended up proving comfortable winners. Juventus will have to do something special here to change the course of the tie.
Andrea Pirlo, Juventus’ majestic playmaker, struggled in the first leg, unable to influence the game because of Bayern Munich’s pressing, and they will look to replicate that trick again here. With Vidal out, Juventus’ midfield will be shorn of a key figure, but then so is Bayern Munich’s because of the injury to the ever tactically aware Toni Kroos. His absence will be keenly felt. Thomas Muller will probably remain in Kroos’ advanced position in midfield, trying to harass Pirlo at every opportunity.
This game could therefore be a little more open than the first in theory, but Bayern Munich will face the same problem as they did in the last round. Can they sit back and soak up pressure? On the evidence of it, they are not adept at that type of game and need to press to keep themselves on the front foot. Therefore a Juventus goal would really cause Bayern Munich problems and those nerves to flare up again. However, they are clearly the better of these two sides, and can find the crucial goal they need to end Juventus’ challenge. Juventus 2-1 Bayern Munich.
Betting on Juventus v Bayern Munich? Don't before you've read our Betting Preview!
