The Bianconeri travel to Germany, and will need to employ the right approach if they hope to seal their Champions League quarter final berth.
The tie is finely poised as Juventus head to Germany to play the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 match against Borussia Dortmund.
The champions of Italy won the first-leg of the tie 2–1 in a not-so-fantastic game. However, they imposed their dominion over the Germans. That might not be the case at the Westfalenstadion, where the ‘Yellow Wall’ will be defiantly loud in it’s support of the home team.
The first-leg was evenly fought, with both teams playing rather cautiously. Dortmund were clearly the more aggressive side, outdoing their opponent in both the tackles and fouls departments. But, it is incisive finishing that ultimately counts, and it did.
Massimiliano Allegri approached the game watchfully, playing a 4-3-1-2 with Arturo Vidal, Paul Pogba and Claudio Marchisio in midfield.
These battlers were assigned to do the dirty work while Andrea Pirlo charismatically weaved his magic within the safety provided by his colleagues. Some would say that Allegri got lucky with Pirlo’s injury, because Juventus’ midfield became less vulnerable with the addition of Roberto Pereyra.
Dortmund were not at their efficient best in the first-leg, but will attack with abandon in the return-leg. Jurgen Klopp will set his team to press high-up the pitch and crack down on Juventus for any sloppiness at the back, an error that was duly punished at the Juventus Arena.
[youtube]https://youtu.be/Npmo34FoEY8[/youtube]
Juventus’ goals also arrived from two counter-attacks, an approach that would best benefit them in Germany.
Leonardo Bonucci ably deputised for Pirlo in his absence with his accurate long-range passing. It was one such pass that led to Alvaro Morata’s goal in the first-leg.
This approach could work well for Juventus, especially since Dortmund would be pressing from the front, leaving acres of space in the back to be exploited, which it can be through the pace offered by Carlos Tevez and Morata.
Apart from having a sharp attack, Juventus are adequately capable of being defensively resolute. It is of paramount importance that Juventus score the opening goal to subsequently exercise ruthless control over the game.
Borussia Dortmund have scored seven goals at home whilst conceding two during the group stages of the Champions League. That is largely indicative of their attacking prowess, but less so of their defensive susceptibilities.
Dortmund are not the organised juggernaut that they once were. Had Tevez and Pereyra taken their chances in Turin, Dortmund could well and truly be out of this contest.
Juventus have the tools to trouble Dortmund’s static defense, a thought that could keep Klopp tossing in his bed. He will remember Juventus’ 10 attempts at goal in the first-leg, but the second-leg will be different. Allegri’s men are likely to have fewer chances and they must not be wasteful when these arrive.
Losing Andrea Pirlo to injury is arguably a blessing in disguise for Allegri.
Pirlo maybe composed and silky in possession, but history is evidence that strategic pressure directed at him makes him a desperately obvious weak link in the team.
For instance, Dortmund’s first attempt at goal, wherein Ciro Immobile failed to hit the target, came from a loose pass from Andrea Pirlo due to Dortmund’s relentless pressing.
Nuri Sahin’s comments, regarding Pirlo, speak volumes.
“I do not want to be disrespectful in any way, but I would have preferred it had Pirlo not gotten injured,” Sahin said to Kicker.
“We had come up with a clear plan on how we were going to fight a team containing Pirlo. And this plan worked superbly until he was forced off.”
Allegri would be wise to field a physically robust side, capable of rattling Borussia Dortmund in the middle of the park.
Creativity is not a concern, as the team functions remarkably well as a unit and can generate chances based on sheer resilience.
Playing beautiful football is after all a secondary requirement to qualification. Winning the tie is of primary importance.
You can read Rajath Kumar’s work on his AC Milan blog “Milan and Me; The Love Affair”
