21 February 2022
A European glory night at the Allianz Stadium - this and nothing less is called upon for Juventus to progress to the last eight of the Champions League. Three weeks ago, the opening 90 minutes at the Estadio de la Cerámica finished 1-1. The scrapping of the away goals rule has transformed Wednesday night’s showdown into a winner-takes-all play-off.
With memories of the two most recent Champions League exits still fresh in Bianconeri minds, no one shed a tear at Juventus when in June UEFA announced the decision to abolish the away goals rule.
An early strike in Turin from Olympique Lyon in 2019-20, and likewise from Porto last season, put the Bianconeri in the position of having to win by a two-goal margin on the night.
No such calculations are required tomorrow night. A win in any shape or form will suffice to see Juve into the quarter finals for the first time in three seasons, when Massimiliano Allegri was in charge.
That was the 15 March 2019, and again it was Spanish opposition standing on Juve’s path to European progress. Atlético Madrid were brushed aside in a Champions League glory night that has gone down in history. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as Diego Simeone’s side were denied even a shot on target.
From the previous incumbent of the Juventus number 7 shirt to today’s. Champions League debut’s do not get any better than Dusan Vlahovic’s bow at the Estadio de la Ceramica. A goal after 32 seconds rewrote history.
After finally being given some well-earned R&R against Sampdoria at the weekend following eight consecutive starts, DV7 will have recharged his batteries as he bids to surpass his first-leg achievement.
Positive news from the treatment room is that Paulo Dybala and Giorgio Chiellini have been given the all clear and have rejoined the squad.
Considering also Mattia De Sciglio appeared in the weekend win over Samp, the number of players on the injury list has been reduced significantly, creating a welcome abundance of choice for Allegri. However, Alex Sandro will not be risked, neither will Leonardo Bonucci.
Since the away leg on 22 February, the first ever meeting between the two teams, Juventus have gone from strength to strength on the domestic front, winning four out of four in league and cup.
Meanwhile, despite thrashing Espanyol immediately after tying with the Bianconeri, Villarreal saw a six-match unbeaten run ended by Osasuna the following match day, knocking them off the pace in the hunt for Champions League qualification. Unai Emery’s men did respond last week, defeating Celta Vigo, but remain six points behind fourth-placed Atlético Madrid and Barcelona.
On the injury front, Emery has welcomed back Francis Coquelin but has lost experienced wing-back Alberto Moreno for the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament rupture. While Alberto Moreno is ruled out, his namesake Gerard, the team’s leading striker, is on the verge of ending a month and a half on the sidelines.
Full-back Juan Foyth has not featured since the first leg, and doubts also surround the fitness of Étienne Capoue and Raúl Albiol. The veteran defender, the lynchpin of Villarreal’s back-four, was substituted as a precaution in the weekend win over Celta Vigo, and remains a cause for concern.
Outside of the Estadio de la Cerámica this season, Villarreal’s form has been steady, but not scintillating - seven wins and seven defeats in all competitions. That said, six of their 10-point total in qualifying from the Champions League group stage came from key victories away, in Berne, against Young Boys, and Bergamo, against Atalanta.
What’s more, the Spanish club’s triumph in the Europa League last season demonstrated an ability to raise the bar when stakes are highest.
Nothing less than 100% commitment, focus and determination on the pitch, combined with the full backing of the Bianconeri support off it, will suffice to make it a European glory night to remember.
