Juventus will look to continue the fine start to their Group D campagin as they face Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday.
An intense battle is expected with the German club who have turned around their season following the departure of influential manager Lucien Favre.
 The Italian champions have struggled so far in their bid to claim a fifth consecutive Scudetto taking just nine points from eight games and it seems they are playing with less anxiety in the Champions League than they do in Serie A.
Juventus could only manage a 0-0 draw with third-placed Inter Milan on Sunday, a result that leaves them in the bottom half of the table.
However, they have maximum points from their first two games in the Champions League following impressive wins against Manchester City and Sevilla. Max Allegri’s men will be favourites to win this game and take a decisive step towards the knockout rounds.
Monchengladbach lost their first five games in Bundesliga but have recovered well to clinch four consecutive victories under interim coach Andre Schubert.
 They were denied their first point in this group thanks to a late Sergio Aguero penalty against Manchester City. Die Fohlen come into this game on the back of an impressive 5-1 away win at Frankfurt on Saturday. Juventus got the better of the German opposition last season when they eliminated Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16. Monchengladbach lost to Lazio in the Europa League last time they faced an Italian opposition in Europe. Last time they won against an Italian team was way back in 1980 when they eliminated Inter Milan from the UEFA Cup.
Team news and tactical brief Juventus Juventus goalkeeper
 Gianluigi Buffon is in doubt because of a calf injury picked up in the stalemate at San Siro, while Martin Caceres (ankle) and Stephan Lichtsteiner are both absent for this game.
Paulo Dybala who started from the bench against Inter will get his chance alongside Alvaro Morata. Mario Mandzukic returned from injury on Sunday but will most likely come on as a substitute. Sunday night saw Max Allegri use his best midfield players for the first time this season as the trio of Paul Pogba, Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira all started together. All three are expected to start tomorrow with Juan Cuadrado and Alex Sandro covering the wings.
 Andrea Barzagli has been in superb form this season, particularly in his new role on the right flank behind Cuadrado, even registering an assist last time against Sevilla. If Buffon does not recover for this game then summer signing Neto will make his Champions League debut.

Enregistrer un commentaire

 
Top