Borussia Dortmund are back from the dead. The beaten Champions League finalists from just two years ago have experienced some major lows this season, but are currently on a high with an impressive winning streak in the Bundesliga. The BVB will now look to carry that good form into Europe with their round of 16 first leg against the Italian champions, Juventus.
The Old Lady has been been unbeatable on home soil this season, but can the super-intense pressing of the Germans finally break the Italians’ resolve? Find out as we break down this fascinating Champions League tie. Also, check out our preview of Tuesday’s other monumental clash, Barcelona vs. Manchester City.
After a very tumultuous first few months of the season, Borussia Dortmund are back to something very close to their best. The BVB have won their last three games in a row to climb up from the bottom three in the 18-team Bundesliga to 12th in the table.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Dortmund’s attack has been firing on all cylinders with forwards Marco Reus and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leading the way. The two have scored in all three wins, and have combined for seven of the team’s 10 goals in those games.
Dortmund’s front four of Aubameyang, Reus, Shinji Kagawa and Kevin Kampl have a lot of pace and versatility, which may give Juventus’ defense some headaches with their positional interchange as well as their lighting quick speed on the counterattack.
Dortmund are most effective when they defend from the front and press opponents into costly mistakes in dangerous areas. They have been able to fine tune that press lately, which has fueled their recent run. Look for Dortmund to keep that suffocating intensity up against a Juventus team that isn’t used to dealing with that hard-pressing style.
However, Dortmund’s own defense is still a little suspect. They’ve conceded two goals in each of their last two games against teams in the bottom half of the Bundesliga table. With Juve expected to dominate much of the possession at home, it remains to be seen if the Germans can successfully withstand sustained pressure and leave Italy with a clean sheet.
Dortmund went 4-1-1 during the Champions League group stage, with 14 goals scored and just four conceded. Their only loss came to their toughest away game against Arsenal.
Betting on Juventus
Reigning Italian champions Juventus are well on their way toward another Serie A title, but their unmatched dominance may be having a negative effect on their performance.
Juve, who are nine points clear at the top of the standings, have taken their foot off the gas in February, with two draws in their last three games. Those draws came away from home against Udinese and Cesena, both currently in the bottom half of the standings.
However, Juventus have been simply dominant at home, both in the league and in Europe. Their most recent 2-1 win over Atalanta brought their league record to 10 wins and two draws in 12 games at home, with 32 goals scored and just seven conceded. They also went unbeaten at the Juventus Stadium in the group stage of the Champions League, with two wins and a draw in the final matchday against Atletico Madrid.
Manager Massimiliano Allegri will have a full squad to choose from and he will most likely go to his recently favored 4-3-1-2 formation. The combination of Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio, Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal in a midfield diamond is arguably the most talent-rich unit in all of Europe, and should give Juve a decided advantage in the middle of the park against Dortmund.
Midfield dynamo Pogba has been a revelation this season and has cemented his place as one of the top players in the world. Juventus will be wary of Dortmund’s hard pressing style, but Pogba has the strength and power to break through the Dortmund blitz with some lung-busting runs.
Writer’s Prediction
Juventus maintain their unbeaten home record, but Dortmund claims a crucial away goal. The first leg in Italy ends in a 1-1 draw. Create a betting account now and cash in on all the UEFA Champions League action.
