Champions League: Juventus seek closure from pain of last season against familiar foes Real Madrid

When Juventus collapsed in the Champions League final last May, it was the loss of a promise which resonated with even those outside the club. Juventus had stood out as the best side in Europe but the Italians were outdone by a Real Madrid team which was driven by a pursuit of history. Their clinical display in Cardiff made the Spanish giant the first side to retain the Champions League since the tournament’s revamp in 1992.

Juventus, though, seemed broken. The defeat was a major blow to the Massimiliano Allegri project. With its second loss in a final in three Champions League campaigns under the manager, The Old Lady’s wait for European supremacy extended further. History has extracted a heavy cost from the Turin-based club as well. Juventus are often regarded as one of the continental giants and rightly so, but seven losses in nine finals overall is not a pretty picture. Real Madrid are responsible for two of those failures.

Juventus players celebrate their win over AC Milan on Saturday. AFP

With the passing of time since the latest defeat, though, the Italians have attained a measure of perspective. Keeper Gianluigi Buffon, so often a barometer of the atmosphere at Juventus, shared his thoughts on a loss which seemed like a personal blow to him. The custodian is in his final season as a professional footballer and he may not get a chance to play another Champions League final. “We went to Cardiff (last May) very confident, maybe too confident, and that could be the first and most serious mistake we made in that final. But I do not reproach myself. The stronger team on the pitch deservedly won the game.”

Now is Juventus’ chance to distance itself from the pain even further. Even the Netflix documentary on the club First Team, which goes behind-the-scenes, is underlaid by a story of redemption from a defeat which was raw and painful. The decision to grant access for the film was championed by Juventus’ marketing director Federico Palomba, who wants to see the Italian champions on the same pedestal as other continental giants. In the search for new revenue streams, this is his latest manoeuvre. However, nothing would speak stronger than a victory over the most decorated club in European football. To be like Real Madrid, one must defeat Real Madrid.

History would suggest that Juventus have reasons to feel confident. The Italian side has progressed at the expense of Real Madrid on all four occasions the sides have met in the Champions League knockout stage. In fact, the only time Real Madrid did not play the tournament’s final in the past four seasons, in 2015, it was due to a loss in the semis at the hands of Allegri’s men.

However, Juventus have not been at their best this season. That may seem a strange thing to say about a team which conceded its first Serie A goal this year only on Saturday but the club is increasingly reliant on its famed ability to pull itself out of a hole. The serene progress of the previous campaign has been lost; Juventus are on for a treble and yet it seems shaky.

However, in Allegri, The Old Lady has one of the most underrated tacticians. His decision to change the formation in the round-of-16 second leg tie against Tottenham Hotspur won the tie for Juventus. In fact, Allegri has expertly moved from one system to another all season. At different points, the Italian champions have played a 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, and 3-5-2 formation.

Although the likes of Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Gonzalo Higuain are undroppable, the rest of the players are often moved around. This offers plenty of possibilities to Allegri as he prepares his team for the first leg at home on Tuesday.

However, the absence of suspended Medhi Benatia and Miralem Pjanic, and the injured Sami Khedira may force the manager to seek greater defensive security with three men at the back. Chiellini could be joined by Daniele Rugani and Andrea Barzagli in defence. This set-up would allow the Italians a spare man to deal with the front duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. Ronaldo is an obvious threat anyway and his record in Madrid’s colours against Juventus only gives rise to further concern. The Portuguese star has scored seven times in five matches versus the Italian champions.

But with the defensive-minded Rodrigo Bentancur set to start in midfield, Allegri may go for a 4-2-3-1 system after all. If he does so, then Bentancur and Blaise Matuidi will be expected to screen the defence expertly. Chiellini’s increasing last-ditch heroics are a visceral delight but they hint at a shaky defence. If Barzagli is picked as Chiellini’s partner, then the men in midfield will have to be wary of the lack of pace behind them too.

With Mario Mandzukic still recovering from injury, it is likely that the pacey Douglas Costa will be picked ahead of him. However, Allegri will have to consider the offensive threat posed by Madrid full-backs Marcelo and Dani Carvajal, and seek options to push them back. If a 4-2-3-1 setup is preferred, Juan Cuadrado, fresh from a goal against AC Milan on Saturday, could be selected on the wing opposite to Costa. In a 3-5-2 system, though, Alex Sandro is a likelier alternative to the Colombian.

Allegri will feel confident that his side can exploit the defensive deficiencies which have troubled Madrid all season, the visitors’ recent upturn in form notwithstanding. With Nacho Fernandez doubtful after his injury on Saturday and Sergio Ramos not featuring at all in that game, there is an outside chance that Jesus Vallejo or Theo Hernandez could partner Raphael Varane in defence. This arrangement may tilt the balance somewhat in Juventus’ favour.

For manager Zinedine Zidane, though, there are more tactical conundrums up-field. The question which seems to tail Madrid in every game now will be put forward yet again. With ten goals since the start of 2018, Gareth Bale has emerged on the scene after a slow start to the season. Zidane, though, has shown a preference for Isco’s penetrative passing in big matches and it seems likely the Wales captain will have to make way once again.

However, the Madrid manager has another option at his disposal. He could revert to the 4-4-2 formation which he used against Paris Saint-Germain in the round-of-16 second leg. If he does go ahead with that choice, it would suggest that Zidane expects to see less of the ball and his players will aim to hit Juventus on the counter with pace.

However, the 4-4-2 would jeopardise the place of at least one of Madrid’s famed midfield trio — Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro. Zidane had an easier decision against PSG since both Modric and Kroos were not properly fit but it will be a massive call if he were to repeat it on Tuesday. A 4-3-1-2 formation, though, is the likely option, with Isco playing behind Ronaldo and Benzema. It is a system which has brought Madrid huge success in the past as the French striker’s evolved movement allows Ronaldo to be more decisive in front of goal and Isco can dictate play as he roams between the lines. Moreover, the midfield three are adept at their defensive duties and Modric also feels comfortable in driving forward.

But Madrid’s ability to dominate proceedings in such fashion will depend on Allegri’s tactics. Juventus are likely to prioritise not conceding at home, backing their forwards to do the job in the second leg. If the hosts approach the match with that mindset, congestion in midfield could be a familiar sight. It is an approach which should suit the Italian side as Madrid will be forced into a combative encounter. If it works over the two legs, Juventus can finally swat aside the dark clouds from May which hang heavy to this day.