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Juventus after sealing a 4-1 win at home against Udinese have sealed the Serie A title. Now they must shift their complete attention to UEFA Champions League home game against Atletico Madrid.
The Spanish side holds a two-goal cushion over the Italian champions from the first leg they won at the Wanda Metropolitano. The loss came as a shock to everyone as Juventus were tipped as one of the favorites to lift the Champions League this year with Cristiano Ronaldo rallying by their side.
In the second leg of Round of 16, we have witnessed some massive turnarounds. The holders, Real Madrid were knocked out by AFC Ajax whereas Manchester United eliminated Paris Saint Germain in some fashion. By the looks of it even Juventus can overturn this tie with a dynamic performance.
Here we take a look at three things Juventus needs to do in order to progress to the quarterfinals of the UCL.
#3 Play a 3 man defence
Massimiliano Allegri may want to start the game with a three man defence. Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci will be accompanied by one of Daniele Rugani, Martin Caceres or Leonardo Spinazzola as Andrea Barzagli no longer looks like a viable option as he went off injured against Udinese.
Allegri also must stick to the three-man defence set up as he has only one natural full back available for the game against Roji Blancos. With De Sciglio injured and Alex Sandro suspended, only available full back at Allegri's disposal is Cancelo.
The Juventus defenders were not upto their usual standards against Atletico Madrid in the first leg as they conceded twice from set pieces. Apart from set pieces, the Old Lady's defence was breached quite a few times by Antoine Griezmann, Diego Costa and Alvaro Morata. In fact, they were lucky enough to have Morata's goal cancelled by VAR.
The Juve defence will have to be flawless against Atletico if they want to have any chances of overturning this tie and securing a berth in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. The veterans, Bonucci and Chiellini will have to make sure that Szczesny is well guarded and they do not concede.
#2 Win the midfield battle and nullify Atletico in the center of the park
In the first leg, Juve's midfield was overpowered by Simeone's men. The midfield of Miralem Pjanic, Rodrigo Bentancur and Blaise Matuidi was clearly outdone by Koke, Thomas Partey, Saul Niguez and Rodri.
The very first reason for this was they were outnumbered in the center of the park. Secondly, the Bianconeri's midfield lacked balance. They had no chemistry between them as they failed to create anything for Cristiano Ronaldo or Mandzukic to capitalize on. Their link-up play was quite easy to disrupt as Matudi and Bentancur were reduced to nothing by the Spanish side.
This time around since Allegri is poised to play with a three-man defence, hence he will have more players to occupy the midfield. The midfield needs to be more dynamic, capable of creating chances, holding the play, add pace to get away from their man and should link up well with forwards.
Joao Cancelo can play as a wing back and will definitely add pace and flair to this Juve side. Miralem Pjanic, unlike the last leg, should be the dictator of the midfield, pulling the strings for his side. Meanwhile, Bentancur and Matuidi will be adding creativity and physicality respectively.
Moreover, if Douglas Costa can make it to the starting eleven he would provide the side with unparalleled pace and will help in creating goal scoring opportunities for the forwards. He can even come on from the bench to help his side.
Juventus, unlike the very last meeting, should overpower and nullify the Atletico midfield as they should come out on top in the midfield battle.
#1 Ronaldo should come up with his A game against Atletico
Cristiano Ronaldo is the undisputed king of the UEFA Champions League and his stats speak for themselves. Ronaldo is known to turn up on special nights in the Champions League and the Bianconeri would be hoping he shines in the second leg.
The Portuguese international has overcome such tests in the past with Real Madrid when he single-handedly overturned the tie against Wolfsburg by scoring a spectacular hat-trick and securing a berth for Real Madrid in the semi-finals. Nights like these are sufficient enough to prove that Ronaldo thrives under pressure.
The former Madrid talisman despite putting in a Man of the match award-worthy performance in the first leg was unable to salvage a win or draw for his side. Atletico's defence made sure Oblak was not exposed to the threat of Ronaldo. Godin and Jimenez made it difficult for Dybala and Mandzukic to link with Ronaldo as they blocked, intercepted, tackled, cleared any chances, making life miserable for Juve's forwards. They forced Juve's front three to attempt long rangers. Ronaldo even came close twice but was denied brilliantly by Jan Oblak.
Ronaldo, Dybala and Mandzukic were rested against Udinese keeping in mind the crucial second leg against Atletico and therefore should be fresh for the game.
The Italian champions need to breach the resolute Atletico defence and bury every chance they get. The forwards will have to link up well and create loads of chances for each other to score. Ronaldo can't do it all by himself and needs the whole squad to step up and provide support.
Ronaldo along with Dybala and Mandzukic will have to display their very best if they have any chance of progressing and getting past this Atletico side. Allegri knows Ronaldo is capable of overturning the tie and thus will shape the side around him. The Old Lady would be relying heavily on Ronaldo to take them far in this competition.
