PartialLogo
Champions League

Champions League team profiles: Juventus v Atletico Madrid

Stubborn rearguards could ensure goals are in short supply

Juventus are hoping Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival will help their Champions League cause
Juventus are hoping Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival will help their Champions League causeCredit: Alessandro Sabattini

Juventus profile

How they qualified
A matchday six defeat at Young Boys when qualification had already been secured did not stop Juventus finishing top. Their best work was done early with wins to nil at Manchester United and Valencia. Cristiano Ronaldo, who was sent off in Valencia, scored just once in the group.

Form
There will be no domestic double for Juve, who were dismantled by Atalanta in the Coppa Italia, but the Old Lady remain rampant in Serie A, still unbeaten and 11 points clear.

Winter transfer action
Versatile defender Martin Caceres returned to Turin from Lazio and will replace Medhi Benatia, who went to Qatar.

Prospects
A strong defence on paper and Ronaldo up front - what's not to like about the perennial Italian champions? Juve are definite contenders, but the draw with Atletico could have been much kinder.

Atletico Madrid profile

How they qualified
Atletico finished with three clean sheets but their early performances were unlike Diego Simeone's side and a 4-0 thrashing at Dortmund was the low point. Some things never change, however, and Atletico's 18 yellow cards were the most of any qualifier and the second-highest in the qualifying campaign.

Form
They were 19 matches unbeaten from the Dortmund disaster until successive defeats to Real Betis and Real Madrid in the past two weeks. They were also knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Girona.

Winter transfer action
Former Real striker Alvaro Morata signed on loan after an unhappy spell with Chelsea. Winger Gelson Martins went to Monaco.

Prospects
At their best Atletico are awkward for Europe's best so should never be discounted totally. But Simeone's side have rarely hit the heights of previous seasons and look set to be outclassed at some stage.

Schedule

First leg: Wanda Metropolitano (Madrid) February 20
Second leg: Allianz Stadium (Turin), March 12.

TV details

All matches are on BT Sport.


Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport

Racing Post Sport

Published on inChampions League

Last updated

iconCopy