Champions League 2018-19: Atletico Madrid vs Juventus- Preview, Team News, Key Players & Prediction
Atletico Madrid is set to host Italian champions Juventus in the Champions League round of 16 at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. The first leg will be played in Madrid followed by the second leg in Turin. Both the European giants will lock horns to keep their hopes of European glory.
While Diego Simeone will meet a familiar foe in Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus must be highly motivated to bring the Champions League trophy back to the Old Lady. Ronaldo will play an essential role in both the legs as the Portuguese has an exceptional goal-scoring record against Atletico.
The Rojiblancos would be hoping to find a way to contain the ex-Real Madrid forward. Diego Simeone would be eyeing to seal the Champions League trophy after their Europa League and Super Cup success last year.
The home side is currently sitting at the second spot in the La Liga standings behind Barcelona. With a rock-solid defense and the home crowd behind them game, Atletico Madrid will make sure that Juventus doesn’t find it easy in the first leg. Simeone has an excellent record in the knock-out matches and Atletico will be looking to make the most of their home advantage.
Juventus, on the other hand, have been flying high this season. The Italian champions are still undefeated in their domestic league while they have lost two matches in this competition against Manchester United and Young Boys. Having come so close in the past to European glory, this year they look determined to bring the coveted trophy back to Turin. The Italian giants need to win the Champions League if they want to engrave their name as the very best. With Paulo Dybala and Ronaldo both in good form, they will finally be looking to end their European trophy drought.
GAME DETAILS
Date: Thursday, 21 February 2019
Time: 01:30 AM IST
Venue: Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Spain
League: Champions League
Live Telecast: Sony Network
Online Streaming: Sonyliv (Website, App)
Recent form (Last six matches)
Atletico Madrid – D W W L L W
Juventus – W W L D W W
Head to head
Total Matches: 2
Atletico Madrid Won – 1
Juventus Won – 0
Drawn – 1
Team News
Atletico Madrid
- Thomas Martey or Diego Costa may feature in the starting lineup for this game.
- Lucas Hernandez will miss the game due to a knee injury.
- Koke still remains doubtful as he has missed the last four Atletico’s game with a knee injury.
- Jan Oblak will start for the home side between the sticks.
Juventus:
- Juan Cuadrado will miss the game due to an injury.
- Miralem Pjanic will join the starting lineup after being rested recently.
- Mario Mandzukic might start up front with Cristiano Ronaldo, while Paulo Dybala can find himself on the bench.
Key Players
Atletico Madrid
- Antoine Griezmann
- Saul Niguez
- Filipe Luis
Juventus
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Miralem Pjanic
- Mario Mandzukic
Probable Playing 11
Atletico Madrid– Oblak (GK), Arias, Godin, Giménez, Filipe Luis; Correa, Saúl Ñíguez, Rodri, Lemar; Griezmann, Costa
Juventus– Szczesny (GK), Cancelo, Bonucci, Chiellini, A. Sandro, Bentancur, Pjanic, Matuidi, Dybala, Ronaldo, Mandzukic