Real Madrid vs Juventus - Competition: UEFA Champions League
Real Madrid enter the return match on the back of a 1-1
draw in the Madrid Derby with Atletico, a game in which Zinedine Zidane
rested several of his regular players. In their last six games at the
Bernabeu, Real have scored a staggering 22 goals. Conversely, they have
also conceded eight. The Blancos have found their top form too late to
challenge Barcelona for La Liga title as they sit 4th in the table, 15
points from the summit. Zidane's side has kept just six clean
sheets in 23 home games this season. The Galacticos have conceded in
eight of their last ten home matches but they have not lost a Champions
League home match since March 2015.
Ramos is suspended for
the hosts while Nacho and Jesús Vallejo are also injury doubts. As a
result, Casemiro could partner Raphael Varane as centre back, with Mateo
Kovacic replacing the Brazilian in the middle of the park. Dani
Carvajal and Marcelo will retain their starting berth as full backs, as
well as Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in midfield. Up front, Isco will
retunr to the starting XI, supporting the attacking duo formed by
Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. The likes of Marcos Asensio and
Gareth Bale are the offensive alternatives.
Juventus team have warmed up this weekend with a 4-2 away victory at rock bottom side Benevento. The Bianconeri still boast a 4 point lead at the top of the Serie A standings. Domestically, the Old Lady have won 13 of a possible 16 games away from the Allianz Stadium and have lost only one. Max Allegri's men currently hold an 18-match unbeaten streak in Serie A. They have also shown they can beat European giants away from home in Champions League - we all remember how they knocked out Tottenham by winning 2-1 at Wembley. Anyway, no team has ever overturned a 3-0 home defeat in the Champions League.
The visitors will miss the services of Paulo Dybala after he was sent off in the first leg, while Rodrigo Bentancur is also suspended due to an accumulation of bookings. Mario Mandzukic and Gonzalo Higuain appear sure starters up front, while Juan Cuadrado and Douglas Costa are in contention for the remaining sport in attack, as winger Federico Bernardeschi remains out indefinitely with a knee injury. Miralem Pjanic and Medhi Benatia return for the Italian champions, who sorely missed the duo in the first leg. The former will start as playmaker in midfield, wit Blaise Matuidi and Sami Khedira on his flanks. The latter will form the four man backline with Giorgio Chiellini, Mattia De Sciglio and Alex Sandro.
Juventus team have warmed up this weekend with a 4-2 away victory at rock bottom side Benevento. The Bianconeri still boast a 4 point lead at the top of the Serie A standings. Domestically, the Old Lady have won 13 of a possible 16 games away from the Allianz Stadium and have lost only one. Max Allegri's men currently hold an 18-match unbeaten streak in Serie A. They have also shown they can beat European giants away from home in Champions League - we all remember how they knocked out Tottenham by winning 2-1 at Wembley. Anyway, no team has ever overturned a 3-0 home defeat in the Champions League.
The visitors will miss the services of Paulo Dybala after he was sent off in the first leg, while Rodrigo Bentancur is also suspended due to an accumulation of bookings. Mario Mandzukic and Gonzalo Higuain appear sure starters up front, while Juan Cuadrado and Douglas Costa are in contention for the remaining sport in attack, as winger Federico Bernardeschi remains out indefinitely with a knee injury. Miralem Pjanic and Medhi Benatia return for the Italian champions, who sorely missed the duo in the first leg. The former will start as playmaker in midfield, wit Blaise Matuidi and Sami Khedira on his flanks. The latter will form the four man backline with Giorgio Chiellini, Mattia De Sciglio and Alex Sandro.
Real Madrid last 5 matches:
10/03/18 Eibar 1 – 2 Real Madrid18/03/18 Real Madrid 6 – 3 Girona
31/03/18 Las Palmas 0 – 3 Real Madrid
03/04/18 Juventus 0 – 3 Real Madrid
08/04/18 Real Madrid 1 – 1 Atletico Madrid
Juventus last 5 matches:
14/03/18 Juventus 2 – 0 Atalanta17/03/18 SPAL 0 – 0 Juventus
31/03/18 Juventus 3 – 1 Milan
03/04/18 Juventus 0 – 3 Real Madrid
07/04/18 Benevento 2 – 4 Juventus
Date: 11 April 2018
Kick-off Time: 19:45 BST
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Kick-off Time: 19:45 BST
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
