Lick thy wounds Juve...lick thy wounds.
The Old Lady will attempt yet again to win the Champions League after being humbled, and ripped open in the second half of the final against the supreme Real Madrid.
They will have to do it tonight without Bonnucci, who took his talents to Milan, Cuadrado, who got sent off in the final with a little help from Ramos, and Giorgio who is injured.
That means Allegri has to focus on a defensive plan against a Barcelona team who are always ruthless at home. I'm hoping that Allegri does not make the mistake many managers do, and not respect the fact you are facing an excellent attacking team that are playing at their cribb.
Being a bigger pitch is something Juventus will have to get used to. And with a weaker defence, Allegri must look to new-arrival Matuidi to do a lot of defensive work and stop the supply from Barcelona's midfield to their attack.
That is why Matuidi is such a good signing. Purely because of his incredible work-ethic and how he can contribute both in attack and defence, and knows how to be dogged and put pressure on the opposing team.
Juve will need that tonight.
Then for going forward, it's going to be about being economical. It may be a bigger pitch that is always intimidating for visiting teams, but Juve can put that in their favour. And that will come from stretching Barcelona and making the right pass.
This will be problematic without Mandzukic, who won't be available for the game but they will still have another new arrival in Douglas Costa.
He's going to be very important if Juventus want to cause Barcelona any problems. Because Semedo looks like a solid full back, but our dear Jessica Alba has been on a downward spiral.
So it would be advisable, Allegri puts Costa on the side of Alba, and instruct him to face up to him and keep trying to make our Spanish friend twirl around. That consistent pressure I believe can free up Dybala and Higuain, leading to some interesting scenarios for Juve.
But this is going to be about how well Juventus do defensively. Up against the supremely talented Messi, the goalscoring prowess of the Cannibal and a confident young dribbler in Dembele; Juve's defence are going to have their hands full all night.
HH
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