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Real Madrid put an impressive display to defeat Juventus 0-3 at the Juventus Stadium in Turin in the first leg.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals in the first leg - a beautiful finish beyond the reach of Gianluigi Buffon and a screamer of a bicycle kick that was a delight to watch. Marcelo added a third dribbling past the goalkeeper and pushing the ball into an empty net.
Though Real Madrid have control of the tie, visitors Juventus could actually stage a comeback with the amount of potential they have. Beating Real Madrid at the Bernabeu would be the added icing on the cake. But the question is, Do Juventus have the belief in them?
Here are the five things to look out for, in the much anticipated clash.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo - the King of Champions League football
It is said that strikers slow down with age, losing their pace and predatory skills. At the age of 33, Cristiano Ronaldo shows no sign of slowing down. On the contrary, he keeps scoring on a regular basis and continues to make a difference for his club.
The mercurial forward has been in red-hot form of late, scoring 10 goals in the last five matches he has played in. On an overall note, he has scored 40 goals this season and assisted 8 times.
In other words, Ronaldo could very well add to his tally of 119 goals in the Champions League. He has made the goalkeeping giant Gianluigi Buffon look like a novice with his finishing in the last two encounters. Will he repeat his heroics again?
All stats via transfermarkt
#2 The Juventus starting XI
Juventus have been decent performers in recent years, upholding the might of Italian football in the Champions League. They have reached the finals of Europe's premier competition twice in the last three years.
Manager Massimiliano Allegri has a strong starting lineup to depend upon and a strong bench of substitutes who can deliver when they are called upon.
Even though Paulo Dybala is suspended for tomorrow's clash, Juventus have a composed team that can give opponents nightmares and would look forward to do so.
Players like Higuain and Mandzukic can prove to be very effective in tomorrow's clash. Also Juventus would take inspiration from Barcelona's defeat by Roma and Manchester City's defeat by Liverpool.
#3 The tactical battle - Zidane vs Allegri
Zinedine Zidane will be remembered by football fans around the world as one of the finest midfielders to have graced the game. Not many expected Zidane to bring instant success to Real Madrid when he took up the managerial reigns from Carlo Ancelotti in January 2016.
Since then, he has converted Real Madrid into a complete team. Real have won two Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup titles.
Zidane's playing style is based on fast, free-flowing and attacking football that is a delight to watch, considering the quality and depth in attack that Real Madrid possess. High pressure and crossing when the opposition is defending deep, are Zizou's major tactics.
On the other hand, we have Juventus's manager Massimiliano Allegri who has superbly developed the team that he inherited from Antonio Conte. Juventus has become the 'talent cultivation pool' of Europe with stars like Dybala, Pogba and Morata rising to prominence in the recent years.
Allegri is an absolute genius in managerial terms because of the way he tinkers with the formations in times of need. He is a really good motivator, and can bring out the best in his players whenever required so. He will be looking to spring a surprise or two against the current champions tomorrow.
#4 The attacking talent on display
Real Madrid have one of the best attacking forces on the planet, which can take on any team and defeat it. Scoring against their opponents on counter by delivering crosses or lobbed passes into the box, is Real's preferred style of attack.
They have the ever-dependent Cristiano Ronaldo leading the line as a left winger with Gareth Bale on the right wing and Karim Benzema as the striker. The creativity of Marco Asensio, Lucas Vazquez, Isco, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric is second to none.
Juventus are an overall balanced team, with good attackers and defenders. Gonzalo Higuain leads the line along with Mario Mandzukic as the central strikers. Paulo Dybala's position would be occupied by Juan Cuadrado.
The left flank has been superbly inherited by Douglas Costa ever since he arrived in the summer. Miralem Pjanic, Claudio Marchisio and Blaise Matuidi would reprise their needful roles in the midfield.
#5 The best club defence units go head to head
It would be outrageous not to mention the defensive systems possessed by both the teams. Real Madrid and Juventus have the best defenses, and it would be interesting to see how well they fare when pitted against each other.
Real Madrid have been led superbly by the talisman Sergio Ramos, who has grown into one of the best defenders since joining Real in 2005. Raphael Varane compliments Ramos as the other center-back.
Daniel Carvajal plays in the right-back position while the left wing-back position is occupied by Marcelo Vieira, who draws comparisons with the legendary Roberto Carlos because of his complete play.
Juventus' back four is lead by the very disciplined and mature Giorgio Chiellini, who is the heart of Italy's defence aswell. Ever since Leonardo Bonucci went to AC Milan, Chiellini has been partnered by Andrea Barzagli who can also play in the right-back position.
Alex Sandro could make a comeback, but Asamoah has impressed of late and could play in the left-back position. Young defender Danielle Rugani could play as a center-back and de Sciglio would be occupying the right-back position.
It would be a treat to watch both teams go against each other. Will Juventus conjure an upset against Real? Only time will reveal the results.
