Real Madrid has struggled in La Liga (by their standards, battling for second place behind Barcelona). But they turn into a different beast in the Champions League, which they have won in three of the last four seasons and Real Madrid took a massive step towards the semifinals this season as they return home with a 3-0 lead in the second leg against Juventus. The second leg takes place on April 11th.
What To Know About Juventus
Juventus were up and down all game as they allowed an early goal, and then ramped up the pressure. However, they couldn’t take any of their chances and when Real Madrid went up 2-0, Paulo Dybala got a red card that basically ended the tie as he won’t be able to play in the second leg. It was a disappointing end to this Champions League campaign for Juventus, who lost to Real Madrid in last season’s final and will likely go on to win Serie A in Italy again. However, there should be some major moves for this team if they want to move forward. The axis of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and central defenders Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini were all poor in this match and at 40, 36 and 33 years respectively, Juventus has to get younger at the back. Douglas Costa should be better, but at 27 years old, he might be what he is at this point. And then there is Dybala, who is 24 and has to control his temper if he wants to be the next Juventus great.
What To Know About Real Madrid
Meanwhile, at 33 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be fantastic. He scored twice in this game to take his total up to 14 goals in the Champions League this season, and he added to his record total of 119 goals in 149 Champions League games. Ronaldo’s second goal might have been the best of his illustrious career, a bicycle kick from around the penalty spot that even brought the Juventus supporters to their feet to applaud him. Outside of Ronaldo, the midfield of Isco, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro were very good, while the defense held up against Juventus’ pressure and Marcelo scored a late goal as well. If there was a weakness, it was Karim Benzema, who has had a tough season overall.
Outlook
Real Madrid are the home favorites at 1.57, while Juventus comes in at 5.25 and a draw is rated at 4.20. Juventus won 2-0 at Real Madrid in the group stages of the 2008-09 Champions League, but they’ll need a bigger win than that to get to the next round as Real Madrid’s three away goals puts the defending champions in the driver’s seat. Juventus will have to attack in Spain, which leaves them open at the back and the way they defended at home, do you trust the Italians not to concede? It would be a huge upset if Juventus were to do enough to make it to the next round, and Real Madrid are a different team in the Champions League.
Champions League Betting Pick: Real Madrid
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