If there is any team that can score three or more against Atletico, it has to be Juventus. Here we will discuss the three reasons why Juventus could still qualify!
When Juventus went in the transfer market to secure the coveted signature of 33-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, it was thought of like the final piece in their Champions League jigsaw. Everyone rated them as the favourites for the trophy. Fast forward seven months and they find themselves down by a two-goal deficit and with a mountain to climb against the mighty Atletico Madrid. One more goal and they would have to score four times against Diego Godin and company. They have lost the first game of a Champions League tie five times in their history and were knocked out of the tournament on every occasion.
And the scoreline could have been even worse if it wasn't for the VAR. It was one of those miserable decisions which cost Morata an opportunity to get one past his old club. But the club from Spanish Capital will be satisfied as the Uruguayan duo of Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez scored from two set-pieces. This came in under 5 minutes in the second half. That being said, Diego Simeone just cannot take anything for granted. Juventus have great depth in their squad and at Turin, you just cannot write them off.
For all the stories about Atletico's stability at back, here are three reasons why Juventus can still qualify for the quarter-finals:
They have Cristiano Ronaldo: He is known as ‘Mr. Champions League' for a reason. Having won the UCL five times in his illustrious career, he knows how it is done more than anyone else. Of those five, four have come in the last five years. He has evolved over the years to be the best in the Champions League at least. In the first leg against Atletico too, he was instrumental to Juventus. He was at the heart of every move going forward. He has been scoring and assisting for fun in Juventus colours. Having scored 22 goals already against Atletico in his career, it's not very difficult to imagine who will Juventus look up for the goals. He is a big match player. Let's see if he can rise up to the occasion?
The domestic league is done and dusted: Having a 13-points-lead over the second-placed Napoli side in Serie A is a major boost for the Old Lady. While Atletico cannot rest any of their star names in La Liga as any slip-up and they could be trailing in the Champions League positions too. On the other hand, Juventus can do so. It's hard to imagine that Napoli can, in any possible way, beat Juve for the title. If Allegri can keep his defenders afresh for the return leg, there could be another twist in the tale.
They have got what it takes: You don't have to go far but last year only when Real beat them comprehensively by 3-0, the second leg was one worth remembering. It was scheduled at Santiago Bernabeu. They were 3-0 down already and with the return leg was away from home. Literally, one of the worst positions to be in but they came out with all guns blazing. They found themselves 3-0 up until the 90 minutes but then real were awarded a controversial penalty and they were through on aggregate. Surely Juventus have got the balls to do that!
In the end, it's football and you could never guess what's coming your way.
