Wednesday 31 May 2017

Match Preview: Juventus - Real Madrid

We have reached the Final stage of the season where we will see Juventus and Real Madrid fight for the Trophy. It is a match where there is no favorite, Juventus were solid all season and will be hoping for a treble, while Real Madrid won the La Liga after a long time and will hope to become the first team to defend the Champions League Trophy.

None of the teams have any injured players, the only doubt is if Zidane will choose Bale after his return from injury or will he start Isco, who has been in fantastic form recently. Maybe Bale could be the hero from the bench?
Sergio Ramos and Dani Alves will be facing each other again (Photo: elheraldo.hn)
Predicted Lineups:
Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Khedira, Pjanić; Dani Alves, Dybala, Mandžukič, Higuain

Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modrič; Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo

Dybala will play in his first UCL Final, Ronaldo in his 5th. Who will lift the trophy? (Photo: tuttosport.com) 

Our Prediction:
It will be a very balanced match, but we give the upper hand to Juventus due to their tactical adaptability. Result: Juventus win 2:1

Monday 8 May 2017

Match Preview: Atletico Madrid - Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo showed his class once again, scoring a hattrick and earning his team a huge 3:0 lead for the visit of Vicente Calderon. This will be the last Madrid derby in this stadium, so Atleti will be hoping for a miracle. They might have Juanfran back from injury, while Real will be missing Carvajal, who was in fantastic form until his injury, which has him facing a race against time to be fit for the Final in Cardiff.

Cristiano Ronaldo was the hero again (Photo: reddit.com)
Predicted Lineups:
Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Savić, F.Luis; Saul, Koke, Gabi, Carrasco; Griezmann, Gameiro

Navas; Nacho, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modrič; Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo

Atletico will have to take their chances in order to challenge Real (Photo: 24ur.com)
Our Prediction:
The lead is too big for Atleti to turn it around, but they will surely put up a fight and hope for a miracle. Result: Atletico win 2:1

Sunday 7 May 2017

Match Preview: Juventus - Monaco

Juventus produced a fine defensive display in the first leg as they kept a clean sheet against an otherwise free scoring Monaco team. Dani Alves and Higuain were the heroes in attack, with Pipita scoring both goals from two wonderful assists by Dani Alves, who was unstoppable. Juventus might play the same lineup as in Monaco, or return to their favored 4-2-3-1 formation, with the return of Sami Khedira, so Cuadrado will most likely return to the starting 11 with Dani Alves at the RB position. Monaco missed Mendy in the first leg, but he should return for the rematch, with Dirar moving to the bench and Sidibe moving to his natural position.

Higuain scored 2, both assisted by Dani Alves (Photo: dnevnik.hr)
Predicted Lineups:
Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Khedira, Pjanić; Dani Alves, Dybala, Mandžukič; Higuain

Subašič; Sidibe, Glik, Jemerson, Mendy; Fabinho, Bakayoko; B.Silva, Lemar; Mbappe, Falcao

Buffon has not conceded a goal for more than 600 minutes in the Champions League (Photo: newstim.com) 
Our Prediction:
Juventus are such a tactically complete team, they will be able to control the match and keep Monaco from turning the result around. Result: Juventus win 3-1.