Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Juventus VS Borussia Dortmund Preview

Juventus have been waiting 18 years to gain revenge on Borussia Dortmund. Heading into the Champions League final between the two sides back in 1997, Juve were the big favourites to prosper, but they lost 3-1 to a Karl-Heinz Riedle-inspired Dortmund in Munich. Tomorrow evening, they meet for the first time since that night in the opening leg of their last-16 clash, which is being played in Turin. As far as domestic matters are concerned, the season to date could not have gone much differently for the clubs. Juventus are well on their way to winning a fourth straight Serie A title, while Borussia Dortmund have spent the last few months dangerously flirting with the Bundesliga's relegation places. To Dortmund's credit, their form has improved since their return to action from the winter break, with three wins being recorded on the bounce. In terms of team selection, Jurgen Klopp, who guided BVB to the final of the competition in 2013, will be without versatile midfielder Kevin Grosskreutz because of a hamstring injury. However, talisman Marco Reus is fully fit, while former Juve centre-forward Ciro Immobile and centre-back Mats Hummels could both return to the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Juve head coach Massimiliano Allegri may be tempted into handing recalls to Stephan Lichtsteiner, Patrice Evra and Arturo Vidal following their omissions last time out. In total, the Italian champions have played host to German clubs on 21 occasions, from which they have won 14 and lost on five occasions. Juventus: Form in Champions League: WLLWWD Form in all competitions: WWDWDW Possible starting lineup: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Chiellini, Bonucci, Evra; Pirlo, Marchisio, Pogba; Pereyra; Llorente, Tevez Dortmund: Form in Champions League: WWWWLD Form in all competitions: LDLWWW Possible starting lineup: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer; Sahin, Kagawa, Gundogan, Reus; Immobile, Aubameyang

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