'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The UEFA Champions League returns this week, and one of the biggest games to look forward to is the Juventus vs Atletico Madrid match. When both clubs face off on Tuesday, only one would have the opportunity to progress to the quarter-final of the competition.
As it stands, Atletico Madrid hold a healthy advantage, having defeated the Old Lady 2-0 at home in the first leg. Late goals from Jose Jimenez and Diego Godin were enough to hand Diego Simeone’s men a morale-boosting win at the Wanda Metropolitano.
However, the Spanish side will now have to finish what they started when they travel to Turin to face Juventus on Tuesday night. The Serie A champions boast an impeccable home record and, with Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks, they possess the necessary tools to overturn the 2-0 deficit.
Playing against Atletico Madrid is never an easy task and Max Allegri’s men would have to play above themselves to have any chance. But the task is not impossible, especially if Ronaldo rises to the occasion.
Below are three reasons why Ronaldo could singlehandedly help Juventus overturn that 2-0 deficit against Atletico Madrid:
#3 Ronaldo is Atletico Madrid’s nemesis
One of the main reasons why Atletico Madrid must be wary of Cristiano Ronaldo is that he boasts a very impressive goal record against the club. Despite the Rojiblancos being built on a solid defensive unit, the Portuguese is one of few players who have often breached their defense with ease.
Ronaldo faced Atletico Madrid many times while with Real Madrid and often ended up on the winning side. In all, the 34-year-old played 30 times against Diego Simeone’s side, scoring 22 goals and assisting a further eight times in all competitions.
The Portuguese also scored against Atletico Madrid in both the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals. The statistics seem to buttress the point that Ronaldo is the nemesis of the Spanish side.
Tuesday’s clash will be tricky, but if there is any player who can unlock that Atletico defense, it is definitely Ronaldo. He has always found a way past Diego Godin and his colleagues at the back and the same could happen on Tuesday, even if he is in a Juventus shirt this time.
#2 Ronaldo is proven on the big stage in such games
Atletico Madrid will go into Tuesday’s game with a commanding lead from the first-leg but they’d definitely be worried about the presence of Ronaldo in the Juventus team. The Portuguese is a proven goal scorer and that is evidenced by his record in the Champions League.
In fact, this is not the first time that Ronaldo had been faced with such a situation. Three years ago, Real Madrid needed a miracle to advance to the quarter-final of the Champions League after losing 2-0 in the first leg to Wolfsburg.
Although many saw it as a mission impossible, Ronaldo rose to the occasion in the 2nd leg, scoring a sensational hat-trick to overturn the result and seal progression for the Blancos. Against Atletico Madrid, it would not be beyond the Portuguese to repeat such a feat.
The 34-year-old lives for games like these and he normally approaches such games with the mentality to steal the show. Should Ronaldo have a good day, he could singlehandedly send Atletico packing from the Champions League once again.
#1 Atletico’s poor away form in Europe + Ronaldo’s amazing home scoring form
Atletico Madrid are currently on the good run of form. The club has won each of its last five games in all competitions and sit 2nd on the La Liga table – ahead of Real Madrid and only behind Barcelona.
However, one area they should be worried about ahead of the Juventus game is their poor away form in Europe. Diego Simeone’s men have so far been unconvincing on their travels in the Champions League.
The Rojiblancos lost 4-0 away at Borussia Dortmund during the group stages and again failed to win when they traveled to face Belgian side Club Brugge. The only time they won in an away game was when they faced an out-of-form Monaco in France.
With such a porous away record in Europe, facing a player like Cristiano Ronaldo is not what Atletico Madrid would want at this moment. The Portuguese is a beast in front of goal and, with qualification at stake, he will surely make Simeone’s men pay if the chance presents itself.
While Atletico Madrid have been poor on the road, Ronaldo boasts a very impressive scoring run at the Allianz Stadium. Everything looks perfectly set for the Portuguese to deliver another masterclass to bail out Juventus.
