Massimiliano Allegri’s Juventus may have been the form side in Europe the last few months but Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola still believes his side can win the opening leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Tuesday.
Massimiliano Allegri might not carry the romantic lustre of Pep, but the Italian is an astute tactician with a brilliant capability to adapt to various circumstances.
The Lowdown
There will be talk of this tie being ‘worthy of a final’:
The German champions against the Serie A title-holders; the two clubs who, mid-February, topped their domestic tables. And both reached the last four of the Champions League last season, Juventus finishing runners-up. So, yes, worthy of a final except that reaching European Cup finals has become tantalisingly hard for Bayern Munich under Pep Guardiola, beaten comfortably at the penultimate hurdle in their two years under his management.
How They Got Here
Juve found themselves in probably the most devilish first-phase pool, filled with opponents from each of the leading European leagues. They could only share the points over two matches against Germany’s Borussia Monchengladbach – two draws – and against Spain’s Sevilla – a win and a loss – and though they took six points off Manchester City, City finished a point ahead of the Old Lady.
Bayern suffered one setback, with a defeat at Arsenal in a group that ultimately proved far more taxing for the English club than the Germans. In their other five games, they racked up 19 goals and a full complement of points at the expense of Dinamo Zagreb, Olympiakos and an Arsenal who were beaten 5-1 in Munich.
Key Players
Sami Khedira, Juventus – He has been a lucky charm for Juventus this season ... when he’s been fit. He was missing with injury when they struggled in the early part of their campaign, but had yet to experience defeat as a starter by the time they reached the top of the Italian table on February 13th. Needs to show Germany manager Jogi Loew he is fit and peaking ahead of Euro 2016.
Douglas Costa, Bayern Munich – The Brazilian winger made a superb start to his Bayern career, and has the capacity to trouble a Juventus defence which is a little ageing, if solid. He will also make Juve’s full-backs wary of too much adventurous pushing forward, because of his speed and skill on the break.
Massimiliano Allegri might not carry the romantic lustre of Pep, but the Italian is an astute tactician with a brilliant capability to adapt to various circumstances.
The Lowdown
There will be talk of this tie being ‘worthy of a final’:
The German champions against the Serie A title-holders; the two clubs who, mid-February, topped their domestic tables. And both reached the last four of the Champions League last season, Juventus finishing runners-up. So, yes, worthy of a final except that reaching European Cup finals has become tantalisingly hard for Bayern Munich under Pep Guardiola, beaten comfortably at the penultimate hurdle in their two years under his management.
How They Got Here
Juve found themselves in probably the most devilish first-phase pool, filled with opponents from each of the leading European leagues. They could only share the points over two matches against Germany’s Borussia Monchengladbach – two draws – and against Spain’s Sevilla – a win and a loss – and though they took six points off Manchester City, City finished a point ahead of the Old Lady.
Bayern suffered one setback, with a defeat at Arsenal in a group that ultimately proved far more taxing for the English club than the Germans. In their other five games, they racked up 19 goals and a full complement of points at the expense of Dinamo Zagreb, Olympiakos and an Arsenal who were beaten 5-1 in Munich.
Key Players
Sami Khedira, Juventus – He has been a lucky charm for Juventus this season ... when he’s been fit. He was missing with injury when they struggled in the early part of their campaign, but had yet to experience defeat as a starter by the time they reached the top of the Italian table on February 13th. Needs to show Germany manager Jogi Loew he is fit and peaking ahead of Euro 2016.
Douglas Costa, Bayern Munich – The Brazilian winger made a superb start to his Bayern career, and has the capacity to trouble a Juventus defence which is a little ageing, if solid. He will also make Juve’s full-backs wary of too much adventurous pushing forward, because of his speed and skill on the break.
