Juventus ready to exploit Real Madrid's fragility and back problems

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  • Raphael Varane and Zinedine Zidane

    Real Madrid have one firm step in the Champions League semi-finals but Juventus travel to the Bernabeu on Wednesday bidding to drag them right back out.

    Los Blancos hold a 3-0 advantage after their stunning blitz in Turin last week, hallmarked of course by Cristiano Ronaldo producing one of the great European goals with a superhuman overhead kick.

    Juve did bounce back from their midweek disappointment with a 4-2 hammering of Benevento while Real were held to a 1-1 draw with city rivals Atletico on Sunday.

    Madrid are heavy favourites to progress but the narrative has shifted slightly after the weekend’s games and so with that in mind, we examine the key talking points.

    JUVE GOT NOTHING TO LOSE

    Pavel Nedved in action during the win over Madrid in 2003

    Pavel Nedved in action during the win over Madrid in 2003

    Juventus have history for losing first-leg ties against Real Madrid and coming back with a vengeance to win 4-3 on aggregate. In 2003, the Italian giants were beaten 2-1 in Madrid but gained passage through to a first all-Italian Champions League final with AC Milan following a 3-1 victory in Turin.

    Thrust that night by Pavel Nedved’s dynamism and the Italian art of organisation, this current iteration is a far cry from the side of 15 years ago, though.

    And the modern history between the two sides is far more in favour of Madrid with the Bianconeri conjuring good and symbolic memories for Los Blancos with last year’s Cardiff capitulation securing them a first league and European Cup double for 59 years.

    Still, Max Allegri’s side have nothing to lose and that is a dangerous prospect for any team, let alone a Madrid with known fragility.

    They have struggled to defend commanding leads in the past (Borussia Dortmund 2013/14 and Schalke 2014/15) and the Old Lady has shown mettle already this season to eliminate Tottenham.

    An early goal for the visitors could really crack Madrid’s fortitude.

    ZIDANE HAS BACK PROBLEMS

    Sergio Ramos is booked in the first-leg

    Sergio Ramos is booked in the first-leg

    There is an obvious weakness for Juve to exploit and that is at centre-back. It’s been a recurring theme throughout the season but once again Real’s lack of depth in the position has left Zidane with just one available central defender.

    Sergio Ramos picked up a yellow card suspension after being booked in the first-leg and his natural replacement Nacho has been ruled out with a thigh injury.

    It was hoped Raphael Varane could be rested on Sunday but the Frenchman was forced to play the entire 90 minutes after Jesus Vallejo pulled out of the squad.

    And the 21-year-old is a huge doubt for Wednesday’s clash after training alone on Monday, which could mean Casemiro or Marcos Llorente are forced to retreat from their natural DM role to partner Varane.

    The former has played at centre-back alongside Ramos in the past but his reckless tendencies in recent weeks hardly inspires confidence.

    MADRID HAVE LOST MOMENTUM

    Zinedine Zidane

    Zinedine Zidane

    With the surrender of their La Liga crown to Barcelona, Zidane beckoned his side to win every game up to and including the Champions League final in Kiev, but a run of six straight victories came to an end on Sunday.

    The context is important to consider because while a draw against a resilient side like Atletico is hardly the most disappointing outcome, there has been a concerning delicacy to Madrid this season.

    Granted, Zidane had one eye on Wednesday with neither Casemiro or Luka Modric in the starting XI while a seemingly pre-arranged move saw Cristiano Ronaldo withdrawn on the hour.

    But they looked one-dimensional against Atletico, attacking exclusively from wide positions and short of ideas.

    They were indebted, and not for the first time this term, to outstanding stops from Keylor Navas in avoiding defeat and the vulnerability both at the back and in attack should energise Juventus.

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