The world’s best defence meets the world’s best attack when Juventus host Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final this week. The immovable object of Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini will have its work cut out in trying to repel the unstoppable force of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, and it should prove to be a thrilling battle.
When these teams met in the Champions League final a couple of years ago, MSN won it, finally grinding down Juventus’ stellar defence. But Juventus seem to have improved since then, while Barca are a bit wobbly, and home advantage could see Juventus nick the first leg.
At home in Serie A this season, Juventus have been supreme. They have played 16, won 16, scored 40 and conceded just eight. They kept another clean sheet at the weekend as they beat Chievo 2-0, despite resting several players ahead of this game. They have conceded just one goal every two games, and that is sensational.
Of course, stats like that tend to go out the window when MSN rolls into town. But it has been a strange season for Barcelona, who lost 2-0 to Malaga at the weekend and now trail league leaders Real Madrid by three points, despite having played one game more. Whereas Juventus have a six-point lead in Serie A and can afford to rest players ahead of the Champions League clash – Chiellini and Bonucci sat out the win over Chievo, along with Miralem Pjanic and Dani Alves – Barcelona have not had that luxury as they are fighting Real for the title, and currently losing that battle. They fielded all their stars against Malaga but still lost 2-0, as Neymar was sent off with them already trailing.
It is therefore set up to be a really interesting encounter. Barcelona are the favourites to qualify – 1/2 with Bet365, compared to 13/8 for Juventus – but Juventus are actually favourites to win this first leg and that makes sense, given their sensational home form. They did not set the world alight in the group stage, drawing at home with Sevilla and Lyon before beating Dinamo Zagreb, but they did well to beat a strong Porto side 1-0 away and then 2-0 at home in the last 16. Barcelona will have a really tough time breaking down their formidable backline, while up front Juventus have Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, and Mario Mandzukic to call upon.
Barcelona lost 4-0 away to PSG in the last 16, and only qualified courtesy of a sensational 6-1 win in the reverse fixture at the Nou Camp, where they were aided by a couple of favourable refereeing decisions. They have been poor defensively and will struggle to contain the likes of Higuain and Dybala. In the middle of the park, these teams are evenly matched, so it could come down to Barcelona’s ability to create chances as they are likely to concede. If Juventus stand strong, they will win this game.
Juventus draw no bet looks a good option here at 11/13 with 888 Sport. A draw would be a good result for Barcelona after the way they played in Paris, and they would know they could take Juventus back to the Nou Camp and go all out attack in front of their home fans. If anyone is going to win it, it looks like being Juventus, who will know they really need to be taking a lead to Barcelona. Given Barcelona’s defensive frailties, the 6/4 at Sky Bet and Bet Stars on Higuain to score at any time looks a good bet. The former Real Madrid man will relish the chance to play against the Catalans and should have plenty of opportunities to score.
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