Juventus and Barcelona will once again come face to face in the Champions League quarter-final and the defending Serie-A champions will have the chance to avenge their loss in the 2015 final of the same competition. Under Max Allegri, Juventus have turned into one of the most potential threats and this match would provide a stern test to Barcelona.
Juventus have the best defensive lineup in BBC and they will be up against MSN, who collectively could rampage the opponent defence. Barcelona’s season hasn’t been the best as they couldn’t maintain their unbeaten status in all competitions. They have been struggling to create the magic they used to produce and would be very keen to take away something from Italy as an away goal will give them a much-needed boost in terms of their recent form.
Juventus defeated Chievo 2-0 by dominating the game and they are no more the team what they used to be, They arguably have the best attacking lineup with Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain in their ranks and Allegri could tweak his lineup a little bit to involve these two players more into the attack.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Barcelona
Luis Enrique has to field his starting lineup without Sergio Busquets as the defensive midfielder is carrying a suspension. The Spaniard hasn’t had a great season but still, his influence could have played a major role in this fixture had he been picked in the first eleven. Javier Mascherano is expected to move a bit forward from his usual defensive duties and will have the task to ensure an extra layer of protection to the Barcelona defence. Rafinha, Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal are all carrying injuries and have to sit out.
Ter Stegen; Piqué, Umtiti, Mathieu; Rakitic, Mascherano, Iniesta; Roberto; Messi, Suárez, Neymar
Juventus
Mario Mandzukic is expected to be fit before this match.
Buffon; D.Alves, Bonucci, Chiellini, A.Sandro; Marchisio, Pjanic; Cuadrado, Dybala, Mandzukic; Higuaín
Key Players
Gonzalo Higuain
The stage is all set for this Argentine international and he has to maintain his focus and composure in this match to provide the much-needed hunger in front of the goals. He has been in sensational form having scored four goals in the last two matches and if Juventus wants to stay afloat in the Champions League, this player has to take additional responsibility.
Lionel Messi
The 29-year-old has been the main reason behind Barcelona’s success in recent years and he is capable of turning any game to his team’s favour. Messi might be forced to change his position a little bit and could operate from deep.
