There was a sigh of relief from the Juventus fans when they discovered that they avoided big guns Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the Champions League draw for the knockout phase last week.
Instead they drew German giants Borussia Dortmund, and despite the Bundesliga club finishing first in their group and the Bianconeri second in theirs, Juventus will head into this tie as favourites to progress into the next round.
The league form of the two sides suggests this clash should be very much one-sided. Juventus are flying in the Serie A in first place and on track to clinch their fourth consecutive league title under Massimiliano Allegri.
The ex-AC Milan coach was appointed in the summer amidst a chorus of ridicule and derision, but has since silenced the doubters with some impressive results and qualification from their Champions League group – something the much-revered Antonio Conte failed to achieve last season.
Dortmund on the other hand, has spectacularly spluttered in the league this season, currently hovering just above the foot of the table on goal difference. Expected to provide Bayern their sternest opposition for the Bundesliga title at the start of the season, Jürgen Klopp’s side have lost nine of their 15 matches already and are in real danger of missing out on European qualification for next season.
However, it would be silly to look at the form of the sides two months before these heavyweights even clash. A lot can change in football in a small amount of time, and this Dortmund team certainly has the capability to go on a run just before Europe’s elite competition starts again in February.
Despite the club entrenched in the relegation zone, there is no pressure on the charismatic Klopp, rather an expectancy that the club will climb the ladder sooner rather than later and contest for a European place.
A crippling injury list has also played a part in Dortmund’s dismal start, with the club’s decimated and overworked players struggling to maintain the high-intensity pressing game that the side has become renowned for.
Key players Jakub Blaczczykowski, Marcel Schmelzer, Nuri Sahin and Ilkay Gundogan have only just returned to the fold after long-term lay-offs and have a few months to get back into the groove and peak form ahead of teh Juventus clash. Star player Marco Reus has also struggled with injury and fitness problems, but is expected to be fit just in time for the Champions League clash which will be a huge boost for the club.
Make no mistake, a full-strength Dortmund side is amongst the finest in the world, and if these players make their full recoveries in time, then Juventus will have more than their hands full.
The Italians must also be wary of former striker Ciro Immobile, who they (along with Torino) sold to Dortmund this past summer. The Azzurri international has struggled to replace Robert Lewandowski at the point of Dortmund’s attack, but will undoubtedly have a point to prove against the side that deemed him surplus to their needs over the years.
Unfortunately for Juventus, Immobile’s best performances this season have come in the Champions League, hitting four goals in four starts including a brilliant solo effort against Arsenal, and he will need little motivation for this clash.
Juventus certainly have the talent to overcome Dortmund, regardless of what form they are in come their meeting in February. Much will hinge on how Allegri approaches the match, and if he ensures that his players have the right mindset and devoid of any complacency.
This match will serve as a good test for Juve if they want to prove they belong amongst Europe’s big boys once again, and will find motivation in getting revenge against the side that beat them 3-1 in the 1997 Champions League final.
