Blog 18: UEFA Champions League Matchday 2- Juventus vs Barcelona

 

                                                    via https://sportswithjai07.blogspot.com/

Juventus

Juventus and Barcelona will meet today for the 14th time with the Italian giants failing to score in their last three meetings with Barcelona. Bianconeri are unbeaten in their six previous games at home in all competitions against Barcelona. Their record against Spanish teams at home, 3 Wins and 3 Draws against Barcelona, 5 Wins and 1 Draw against Atletico Madrid. Considering their recent form Juventus are finding it difficult to register a win this season. They have ended with a draw two times back to back this season and are finding it difficult without Cristiano Ronaldo. Just moments before the Juventus squad was confirmed, it emerged that Cristiano Ronaldo will not be able to face his long term rival Lionel Messi today, having once again tested positive for COVID-19.

Juventus Outs & Doubts- Cristiano Ronaldo (out), Giorgio Chiellini (out), Alex Sandro,                                                Matthijs De Ligt (doubt) and Bonucci (doubt).

Barcelona

Barcelona is currently unbeaten in their six matches against Italian teams in the UEFA Champions League since losing 0-3 to Roma in 2018 ( Wasn't that match just amazing 😂). They have only lost twice in their last 18 Champions League matches against Italian opponents and have only been defeated once in group stage games. Barcelona has bigger problems than Juventus right now after Josep Bartomeu's entire board decided to resign on Tuesday. This was much-awaited news for the players as well as the fans but he has left Camp Nou in chaos and controversy. Koeman's team is also not in a good form after losing to Real Madrid in the El Clasico.

Barcelona Outs & Doubts- Marc-Andre ter Stegen (doubt), Philippe Coutinho (doubt),                                                      Samuel Umtiti (out), Matheus Fernandes (out).

Predicted Lineups & Score

Juventus (4-4-2): Szczesny(GK), Cuadrado, Demiral, Danilo, Frabotta, Kulusevski,                                      Bentancur, Rabiot, Chiesa, Dybala(C), Morata.

Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Neto(GK), Roberto, Araujo, Lenglet, Alba, Pjanic, De Jong,                                                Griezmann, Pedri, Fati, Messi(C).

SportsWithJai07 Prediction- Juventus 1-2 Barcelona