20 November 2017
EYES ON THE PRIZE
Juventus are currently second in Group D, three points behind leaders Barcelona. A win will guarantee Juventus passage to the next round of the competition, whilst qualification would also be made possible with a draw provided Sporting CP don’t pick up maximum points at home to Olympiacos.
Last time out, Juve were held to a 1-1 draw away to Sporting, with Bruno Cesar giving the hosts a first half lead, before Gonzalo Higuain equalised for the Old Lady with a great finish to end the match all square.
Barcelona on the other hand were held to a surprising 0-0 draw away to Olympiacos, which means they now hold 10 points at the summit of Group D.
BARCA’S DOMESTIC FORM
Away from the Champions League, Barcelona have been going great in La Liga so far and currently lead the division by four points, having won 11 matches, drawn once, and lost none.
Last time out for Barca, they faced Leganes away from home and won by three goals to nil, thanks to a brace from Luis Suarez and an effort from Paulinho. La Blaugrana have scored 34 goals in La Liga thus far, conceding just four.
FAMOUS NIGHTS IN TURIN VS BARCELONA
The first time the two sides met in Turin was the second-leg of a Fairs Cup match in 1970. La Vecchia Signora had already won the first-leg 2-1 in Spain, and once more won by the same scoreline at home. A goal by Roberto Bettega put Juve in front after five minutes, Fabio Capello doubled the advantage before half-time. Luis Pujol pulled a goal back for Barca towards the end of the match, but it was nothing more than a consolation as Juve ran out 4-2 winners on aggregate.
The two clubs crossed swords for the first time in the current incarnation of the Champions League in 2003, in the first-leg of their quarter final. Uruguayan defender, Paolo Montero gave the Bianconeri the lead after 16 mintues but Juve were denied the win 12 minutes from time, when Javier Saviola struck for Barcelona to level the tie at 1-1. However, just one week later La Vecchia Signora triumphed 2-1 at the Camp Nou after extra tie and booked their place in the semi-finals.
Finally, nobody could forget last season’s sensational quarter-final first-leg win. Paulo Dybala opened the scoring after seven minutes, turning and striking Juan Cuadrado’s pass into the back of the net. La Joya then doubled the lead, hitting Mario Mandzukic’s pull back first time to put Juve 2-0 up before half-time. In the second half, Giorgio Chiellini rose highest to connect with a Miralem Pjanic corner to make it 3-0 and seal the win. The Bianconeri would go on to qualify for the semi-finals after a 0-0 draw in Camp Nou.
#JUVEFCB MATCH STATS
- Juventus’s Champions League record against Barcelona currently stands at three wins, three draws, and four defeats.
- The Bianconeri have scored 10 goals against Barcelona, whilst conceding 13.
- The Allianz Stadium is currently 25 European games, and 23 Champions League games unbeaten.
- Juve’s overall home record against Spanish teams stands at 15 wins, eight draws, two losses.
- Barcelona’s record away to Italian teams is six wins, nine draws, six losses.
- Juventus are unbeaten in Turin against Barcelona with three wins and two draws
