With four games of the group stages of the Champions League played, and just two to go, both Italian sides’ futures remain in their own hands. The opening parts of the campaign might have brought about some disappointing results — none moreso than Roma’s two-part humbling by Bayern Munich — but both they and Juventus can be optimistic of their chances of reaching the second phase.
Juventus — Beware of Greeks
The Bianconeri sit third in Group A, behind Olimpiacos by virtue of the record between the two sides: the Greeks ahead on away goals after their 3–2 defeat in Turin this week. Those goals conceded at the Juventus Stadium may become very important as the group progresses, and should the two be level on points after six games, their current positions will be maintained.
There are two games remaining before that stage. Travelling to Malmo is no easy task and Olimpiacos lost their game at the Swedbank Stadion, but Massimiliano Allegri’s side must fancy their chances of getting a positive result there. History favours them — their only previous visit to Sweden brought a 4–1 victory against Djurgardens in 2004.
Following that match, Juventus host last year’s finalists Atletico Madrid. The Spanish side lost in Piraeus in their first game of the campaign, but have since won all three matches without conceding a goal. As impressive a record as that is, by the time this match comes around, Diego Simeone’s side may have already won the group. If that is the case, Allegri’s men may find themselves facing a weakened Atletico side in a stadium in which their record is remarkable.
Roma — Flash-freeze Forecast Ahead
The Giallorossi head up the trio behind Bayern Munich in Group E, which the Bavarians have already won. After four games, Rudi Garcia’s side have met the Germans twice and come off second best both times; disappointments that have tempered the optimism that flowed after a comfortable win against CSKA Moscow and a hard-fought draw at Manchester City.
Their next match will take them to Russia to face CSKA side who took four points from the English Premier League champions. Having already won 5–1 against Leonid Slutsky’s side in Rome, the Lupi hold the upper hand in the head-to-head contest between the two sides. Their draw at the Etihad Stadium means that even a draw in that game would see Roma remain in second spot regardless of what happens in the other match.
If the Giallorossi are able to emerge from the Arena Khimki undefeated, it will mean that the final game of the group against Manuel Pellegrini’s mens is critical for both sides. For the Premier League champions, it will be a must-win match to avoid elimination. For the Serie A representatives, they would only have to match CSKA’s result against Bayern in order to progress, which would be something of a wonder given the magnitude of the defeat they suffered at the hands of Pep Guardiola’s side.
Prognosis
For both Juventus and Roma, there are two games remaining. For both sides, too, the fifth group match is the most important so far. Victory in the colder climes of Northern Europe would put both in a commanding position with just one game remaining. It has not been a vintage campaign for the two Serie A sides in Europe but neither can be written off yet.
One thing that is almost certain at this stage is that should either side fail to qualify, they will end up in the Europa League.
