After over three weeks break, the acclaimed most exciting club competition in the world, the UEFA Champions League, returns with the stage set for the quarter final first leg matches.
First off is the game between Juventus and defending champions, Real Madrid in Turin.
When Italian champions, Juve take on Real later in their CL quarter final first leg tie later on Tuesday, one thing will be on the minds of the Old Lady- revenge.
Just 10 months ago, these two battled each other in the competition’s final at Cardiff, with Los Blancos emerging comfortable 4-1 winners on the night for their historic12th title.
However, while the hosts have another chance for revenge, their manager, Massimiliano Allegri, is well aware of what his team is up against but adds that they are a much better and improved side than they were in last season’s final.
“We are up against the Champions League favourites,” Allegri told UEFA.com during his press conference. “To beat them(Real) would be a feather in our cap. This is a gala night for us, and our fans must be proud of a team who have reached the final twice in the last three years.
“[But] i have watched the Cardiff final several times, we have improved in terms of handling difficult spells in a game compared with last season.”
For Allegri’s opposite number, Zinedine Zidane, the game in Cardiff will have little meaning when both parties meet at the Allianz stadium.
“It’s a huge game for both teams,” Zidane said. “We are here to deliver a good performance, but the final in Cardiff has nothing to do with tomorrow’s (today’s) match and we will not think about that at all.”
Both outfits aren’t strangers to each other, as this will be the 20th meeting between them and it has been a keenly contested one, too.
Real has won nine of their previous 19 meetings, while Juve has won eight with the other two ending in draws.
Zidane’s side are chasing a record 13th semifinal appearance, but they face a tricky trip to Turin, where Juve are unbeaten in 27 European home games.
Both sides go into this game on the back a impressive wins in their domestic leagues, winning 3-1 against AC Milan and 3-0 against Las Palmas respectively.
Bayern Out To Win In Seville
The Estadio R. Sanchez Pizjuan is set for another memorable European night when Sevilla hosts German champions, Bayern Munich.
After ousting English side, Manchester United, Sevilla face another European giants in Bayern, in the CL last eight.
This will be the first time the home side are playing at this stage of the competition, while Bayern are making what is their 17th appearance, the most by any team in the competition’s history.
Meanwhile, these two haven’t met in Europe before, this will be their first but Bayern are ready to learn from the mistakes made by José Mourinho and his United side, according to the Bavarians’ manager, Jupp Heynckes.
“I’m not looking for a particular scoreline,” Heynckes said. “I want a win tomorrow (today). We mustn’t go into the match with a particular result in mind, we should go all out to win the game. A goalless draw is deceptive, as Manchester United found out.”
Defensive midfielder, Javi Martinez, also corroborated his manager; “Sevilla are (a) dangerous team,” he added. “We have to give our 100 percent If we want to qualify for the semi-final. I sincerely think this tie is balanced at 50/50.”
Full Tuesday Fixtures
Juventus vs Real Madrid
Sevilla vs Bayern Munich
