Real Madrid vs Juventus: 3 Key Battles that will decide the Champions League tie
The majority of football fans are pretty much in agreement. Real Madrid have more than just one foot in the Champions League semi-finals.
A 3-0 win against Juventus in Turin - three crucial away goals - would make them clear favourites to go through. But stranger things have happened in Europe. Just ask PSG who still have scars of that night at the Camp Nou.
Both sides have crucial players suspended. And if Massimiliano Allegri is to get the better of Zinedine Zidane - in what is arguably Gianluigi Buffon's most important European encounter - there are a few individual key battles that his side will have to win to overturn the deficit.
#1 Gonzalo Higuain vs Raphael Varane
Real Madrid are without Sergio Ramos after the Spanish centre-back was suspended for picking up a yellow card in the first leg in Turin. Who takes his place is up for debate. Either Jesus Vallejo or Nacho Fernandez will make the starting lineup with match fitness being key.
But there is no doubt that Raphael Varane will marshall the defensive line on Wednesday night in the Real skipper's absence. And with Paulo Dybala also suspended following his red card, the onus is on Gonzalo Higuain to lead Juve's attack.
Higuain hasn't been in the best form in Serie A this season but he has managed to score 5 goals in the Champions League in 8 starts this season which includes three goals against a highly-fancied Tottenham Hotspur.
Nothing went right in Turin but the Santiago Bernabeu is Higuain's old hunting ground. And with the possible support out wide from Douglas Costa and the possible presence of Mario Mandzukic, Varane will have his hands full to keep Higuain from taking shots on goal.