Juventus v Olympiacos – Champions League Preview: Allegri’s men flying too close to the sun

Date: 4th November 2014 at 10:00am
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Juventus take on Greek champions Olympiacos on Tuesday evening at the Juventus Stadium. in their fourth group game of the Champions League.

The Bianconeri will be looking to make amends after the reverse fixture two weeks ago when they suffered a 1-0 defeat away from home.

The Old Lady go into this match after an inconsistent run of form. In their previous five matches, including the Champions League defeat at the hands of Olympiacos, they have won two, lost two and drawn one.

This recent inconsistency has not been helped by the fact that they have suffered back-to-back defeats in the previous two group games. Their only victory came against Malmo in the first round of group fixtures.

Their unconvincing start has left them in desperate need of a victory to avoid the repeat of last year when they also failed to qualify from the group stage. However they will be invigorated by the form of leading goalscorer Carlos Tevez, who has scored six goals in nine games in Serie A as well as two goals in three matches in the Champions League. But will be without Patrice Evra and Andrea Barzagli for the match, with Simone Pepe also unlikely to feature.

The Greek champions come into the game following a 0-0 draw at the weekend in the Greek Super League, although they will be encouraged by their recent impressive European form. In addition to this, Olympiacos coach Michel, has a full strength to side to choose from, after resting key players such as Ibrahim Afellay and Delvin N’Dinga at the weekend.

Following two victories against reigning domestic champions Juventus and Atletico Madrid, the Greeks will be confident of repeating their feat of last year and progressing into the knockout stage.

Juventus are currently third in Group A with a total of three points from three games. They are currently trailing Atletico Madrid and Olympiakos who both have six points and are ahead of Malmo only via goal difference.

Meanwhile, the Bianconeri having defeated Olympiacos five times, losing only twice, as well as two draws. They also inflicted Olympiacos’ heaviest defeat in European football; a 7-0 victory in back in 2003.

Expected Starting XIs

Juventus (3-5-2): Buffon; Ogbonna, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Marchisio, Pogba, Pereyra; Tevez, Llorente.

Olympiakos (4-2-1-3): Roberto; Elabdellaoui, Avlonitis, Abidal, Masuaku; Milivojevic, Maniatis; Kasami; Dossevi, Mitroglou,

 

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