Atletico Madrid vs Juventus - Champions League Round of 16

Published on: 20/02/2019

Atletico Madrid vs Juventus - Champions League Round of 16

February 20, 2019 20:00pm - Estadio Wanda Metropolitano (Madrid)

Champions League - Round of 16 - First Leg

After lifting their third Europa League crown in eight years last season, Atletico Madrid turn their attention back to the trophy that has eluded them in recent years. They reached the final in 2015 and 2016, and were beaten semi-finalists in 2017, each time at the hands of arch rivals Real Madrid. They now face a Juventus side who have also had a frustrating time in this competition, losing the 2015 and 2017 finals to Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively.

Including Super Cups, Diego Simeone has contested six European trophies since he took over at Atletico Madrid, winning four. However, the Champions League is the one pot that he has yet to claim. After failing to qualify from the Group stage last term, his team went on to triumph in the Europa League.

This season, the Spaniards eased through their group, finishing second, level on points with Borussia Dortmund and seven points clear of third-ranked Club Brugge. They have lost just one of their last 17 home matches in this competition.

On the domestic front, Atleti are second in La Liga, but have fallen seven points behind Barcelona following recent defeats to Real Betis and Real Madrid.

For opponenets Juventus, the Champions League remains something of an obsession. The recruitment of Cristiano Ronaldo last summer was a clear sign of their intentions to bag Europe`s top prize for the first time since 1996.

The Old Lady have a 13-point lead at the top of Serie A and are out of the Coppa Italia so have little to distract them on the domestic front. However, they were beaten twice in the Group stage and will need to up their game to get past the Spanish side.

The lack of competitiveness in Serie A may hinder them once again and the recent cup defeat to Atalanta showed they can buckle when put under the pressure in a knockout situation.

Recent form (all competitions)

Atletico Madrid: WLLWW

Juventus: WWDLW

Betting odds and tips

Atletico Madrid have an incredible record at home in this competition and won the last time the two teams met in Madrid back in 2014. Their only other meeting resulted in a 0-0 draw in Turin, also in 2014`s Group Stage.

Juve`s desperation in this competition sometimes plays against them and they will face a similar mental hurdle in this Round of 16 clash.

A home win is predicted for the first leg of this mouth-watering clash,.

You can Atletico Madrid at 19/10.

By Neil Morris