Barcelona and Juventus occupy first and second in Champions League Group D respectively and the two European giants clash at the Juventus Stadium on Wednesday.
Here we look at three key questions ahead of the fixture in Turin.
WILL BARCA FINALLY PAY FOR THEIR CARELESSNESS?
There is an antithesis between Barca’s performances and results but despite the unremarkable nature of their campaign so far, they stand top of La Liga and a point away from progression to the Champions League knockouts.
Indeed, Ernesto Valverde’s side have been regularly outplayed by smaller opposition this season and yet they are unbeaten in their last 17 games with 12 clean sheets in that run.
Valverde has certainly added an edge of defensive rigour while Lionel Messi‘s genius has unlocked opposition backlines but in between the two lines the midfield has been vapid.
Careless in possession, Barca have lacked their usual stranglehold and against more elite sides like Juve they will be punished properly.
What was once a clear source of strength has become a weakness for the Blaugrana and their creation of high-value chances has dipped.
Given their record in Turin – they’ve lost three and drawn twice – Valverde will need the likes of Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta to step up.
Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic
IS TER STEGEN RIVALlING BUFFON AS WORLD’S BEST?
It was apt Barcelona tweeted a picture this week of both Lionel Messi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen with the accompanying message: “The two biggest reasons we are where we are right now.”
Messi’s brilliance needs no mention but Ter Stegen certainly deserves to be considered alongside the Argentine in rank of importance.
The German has staggeringly saved 87 percent of the shots he’s faced in La Liga this season, stopping 34 of 39 shots Barca have conceded on target.
Suffice to say without Ter Stegen’s superb form, the complexion of Barca’s campaign would take on an entirely different look.
He made some fine stops in the weekend win over Leganes and is fast establishing himself as one of the world’s premier goalkeepers.
With Gigi Buffon set to retire at the end of this season, the locking of horns between these two keepers could actually pave way for a passing of torch with Ter Stegen among those ready to assume the role of the world’s best stopper.
Barca stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen
ARE JUVE DUO OVER WORLD CUP HEARTACHE?
Buffon and Andrea Barzagli were both dropped by Max Allegri for the weekend defeat trip to Sampdoria after the heartbreak of Italy’s World Cup exit.
The veteran goalkeeper retired from international duty following the Azzurri’s sorry defeat to Sweden and the emotional scenes full-time carried through the week with Italian media beginning their brutal autopsy.
But in the week which marked 22 years since Buffon made his professional debut there is no doubt he’ll be itching to return to the starting XI against Barca.
Winning the Champions League is perhaps the only antidote to his World Cup disappointment but given the Bianconeri’s performances so far this season, vast improvement is required.
Juve’s usual defensive solidity has seemingly dissolved and the 3-2 loss to Sampdoria saw them drop to third in Serie A, four points off leaders Napoli.
With questions around the squad’s mentality after the success of last season, Buffon and Barzagli are two characters Juve need now more than ever.
Andrea Barzagli (L), Gianluigi Buffon and Medhi Benatia
