Juventus and PSV Eindhoven are set to conflict in an important UEFA Champions League knockout spherical play-off on the Allianz Stadium tonight and that is the workforce Thiago Motta has chosen.
This match marks the second time these groups will face one another this season, with Juventus having secured a convincing 3-1 victory of their earlier encounter throughout the league section.
The Bianconeri enter this fixture with a combined bag of current performances. Their Champions League marketing campaign has been considerably underwhelming, ending twentieth within the league section desk with 12 factors. Their house kind within the competitors has been notably regarding, with two wins and two losses in 4 matches on the Allianz Stadium this season. Furthermore, Juventus are at the moment experiencing a objective drought within the Champions League, having failed to attain of their final 195 minutes of play.
Regardless of these challenges, Juventus boasts a powerful report in opposition to Dutch opponents in European competitions. They’ve received 5 of their final eight conferences in opposition to Dutch groups, together with 5 victories of their earlier six house fixtures in opposition to such opponents within the UEFA Champions League. This historic benefit may present a psychological edge for the Bianconeri.
Alternatively, PSV Eindhoven comes into this match driving a wave of momentum. The Dutch champions completed 14th within the league section with 14 factors, showcasing a exceptional turnaround by profitable 4 of their ultimate 5 video games. Their most notable victory got here in opposition to Liverpool on Matchday 8, which propelled them up the desk.
PSV’s current kind has been spectacular, with the workforce unbeaten of their final six video games throughout all competitions. Nonetheless, their report in opposition to Italian groups within the Champions League has been lower than stellar, having misplaced 4 of their final 5 encounters and failing to safe a victory in opposition to Italian opposition since November 2005.
The conflict guarantees to be a tightly contested affair, with each groups having their strengths and weaknesses. Juventus will likely be trying to leverage their house benefit and historic success in opposition to Dutch groups, whereas PSV will goal to proceed their current good kind and break their Italian curse.