Champions League Preview: Bayern Munich vs. Juventus

Bayern Munich and Juventus are two clear contenders for the UEFA Champions League title, but one will be eliminated as they meet this Tuesday in the first leg of the quarterfinals at 15:45 PM ET, at the Allianz Arena.

Both Juventus and Bayern have their domestic leagues pretty wrap up, which means they will have a chance to aim for a European championship. Bayern hasn’t won the Champions League since 2001 and Juventus since 1996.

Both of these teams clashed six times for European competitions, with a record of three wins for Juve, two for Munich and one time ending in a draw.

Bayern Munich has the best attack of this season’s Champions League with 18 goals in eight games; they have won 16 of 19 games at Allianz Arena. However, the first team that beat Bayern there was AC Milan, an Italian team just like Juventus.
The last five games Juventus played in the Champions League ended in a win for the Italians; they remain – along with Borussia Dortmund – as one of the two teams undefeated in the tournament this season.

Also, Juve has been phenomenal defending their own goal as they have allowed only four goals in eight games.
Bayern Munich reached the final last year, but a late goal by Didier kept the Germans away from winning the competition. Juventus is perhaps the most completed team they will face in years.

“We’ll head to Munich with a spring in our step knowing that we’ve done our job on the domestic front,” said Juventus’ manager Antonio Conte after beating Inter Milan 2-1 on Saturday. “We’ll head there to keep alive our dream and to test our mettle in the European arena, and we’ll do it with a smile and no fear”.

Scoring as a visitor in direct elimination series is as valuable as keeping a clean sheet. The only time Juventus failed to score against the German squad was vs. Bayern Munich in September 2009; that was one time in 15 games against the Germans.

Also, Juve hasn’t allowed a goal in their last five Champions League games; they are attempting to get Arsenal’s record, which had 10 games with a clean sheet (back in 2006).

Peruvian striker Claudio Pizzaro scored four of the 9-2 Munich victory over Hamburger. They are a fast pace team that could give opponents more than they can handle as Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery play as wings.

Probable lineups:

Bayern Munich: Neuer; Lahm, Van Buyten, Dante, Alaba, Gustavo, Schweinsteiger, Muller, Kroos, Ribery and Mandzukic.

Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Chiellini, Bonucci, Pirlo, Vidal, Pogba, Marchisio, Asamoah, Vucinic, and Matri.