[CUG]

You know the funny thing is that the embarrassment we saw against the Viola could lead to us actually playing good for the first time this season against Real. May not seem like it right now but it could happen.

So Conte should change tactics to 10 flat 10 defenders and our 2nd keeper and hope Real don't get through.

 

[Catenaccio]

Juve has been a bit of a bogey side for Real Madrid in the last decade. However, I fear that Ancelotti, from a tactical point of view, definitely has the edge on Conte on these European games.

The scary thing is that Ronaldo, Bale (who by the way is back to full fitness), Benzema and Isco should scare the hell out of the Juve defense.

I expect to see Conte play a 532 (or 541) in this match (not a 352). Expect to see Real have 70%+ of possession and expect long balls to the front 2 (or 1).

I suspect it will be a painful game to watch. There is no way we will win at the Bernabeu but we might get lucky and snatch a draw by playing catenaccio.

The thing is, if we play this way, Giovinco could be a logical choice because Tevez and Llorente are not speedy counter attacking players. Other wise we will see Bonucci or Pirlo doing long balls to Llorente with his back to goal at the half way line with no-one in support. I expect us to create very little chances.

We need a combination of good luck and a sub par performance from Real to have any hope of getting anything out of this match.

 

[Paris]

We need a combination of good luck and a sub par performance from Real to have any hope of getting anything out of this match.

That I think is the only way we can get a result at the Bernabeu. We have screwed up at the back continuously for the last what 4-5 games. We have conceded goals in those games which we should never have conceded. After each game I thought, "ok that will motivate them to do better next game". But, it's still the same thing in each game. Therefore, what reason is there for me to hope that this backline is going to prevent conceding goal(s) against a side that is an attacking machine?

On the other end of the pitch, even if Real don't have the strongest defense, we lack quality in attack to actually pose them any serious threat.

 

[Catenaccio]

The lesson that teams like Bayern, Barcelona and Real give to the rest of the world is this: If your attack scares the bejesus out of the opposition, your defense won't have to work as hard. In other words, Real can commit only a few players forward, but they offer a good enough attacking threat to keep the opposition deep and as the game wears on even deeper which allows them to commit more forward and so on.

Its ironic that although Italian teams typically focus on defense, the defensive records are getting worse. Thats because they offer little attacking threat - in the end in modern football you defend and attack as a team and one has a direct relation to the other. Tevez and Llorente are players that require service and we don't have many capable of doing so. I wish Tevez created more space for himself by running into space rather than getting the ball deep and trying to dribble past 3-4 defenders.

 

[GamE_Ove12]

Dont remember many amazing performances pre-calciopoli in Capello times so u probably mean a narrow ugly 1:0 then.

The 3-1 win against the galacticos Real under Lippi was legendary.

 

[Nero]

I've said this before, Tevez is burdened with too much defensive duties. That's why when he gets the odd chance to run at defenders he looks heavy and tired, because he's expending too much energy pressuring when we don't have possession. When a striker isn't fresh enough, he won't have that sharpness when he has the ball at his feet. I've noticed this a lot with Tevez, and it's also why he's struggling to score goals.

As for this game, i'm skeptical about getting a result because it's clear to me that we have too many weak spots in this team. Even when we're playing well like we did against Fiorentina, someone like Buffon will throw away everything we've done over the course of the match. If not him, one of the back three will commit a howler, it's been the same story all season.

Someone will mess up defensively, there is a complete lack of confidence and belief at the back since the season started, and i think it has everything to do with Buffon's decline.

Conte has done nothing to help shore up this leaky defense, and now we're facing the prospect of going up against one of the most talented offenses in the world.

I bid us good luck, but i expect little if nothing, not with the way we're playing and our systemic problems.

 

[Requiem]

Are we gona see Buffon and Casillas chatting on bench in this game? :howler:

Who would have thought a year ago.

Juve should just switch the 3-5-2 to a 5-3-2 and play on the counter. Anything else would be irrational against a Real Madrid side who are raping on all cylinders right now, especially against a Juve defence who's being raped in every cylinder

 

[EdHardy]

The best part of it is Madrid have looked ordinary all season against teams who pressed them higher up the pitch (and im not even talking about Bayern/Dortmund/Barca pressing) At. Madrid and Villareal for example just didnt allow Madrid comfortable time on the ball in midfield. In the champions league where Gala and Copenhagen sat back it just got ugly, if not for Caballero Malaga would have been slaughtered, so I dont see where a 5-3-2 is taking us tbh. I'd rather see that 3-5-1-1 with our wing backs being wing backs and not full backs. The more Marcelo and Carvajal get into our territory the more we'll suffer. And its not like we have the personel for quick counters. Whereas forcing a mistake higher up in midfield presents a better chance for an away goal. On another note Madrid still dont defend corners well, but we wont be winning corners camped in our third.
If a 4-3-3 type formation is too drastic a change for such a big match then I hope for a 3-5-2/3-5-1-1 where our wing backs dont cede too much territory to theirs.

Oh how I miss Del Piero for such occassions, especially against this particular opposition.

 

[Stephan]

The 3-1 win against the galacticos Real under Lippi was legendary.

Precisely why i said Capello days.

 

[adriano_c]

The air is ripe for a Roma-Utd scoreline.............

Either way, no Lichtsteiner, so... Pogba really should play RWB. Thinking about it, he actually is the best option for the role in terms of skill set. I mean, he's fast, physical, can keep the ball really well, get by his man annnndddd, most importantly, can pass and cross.

Isla is nonexistent, Padoin is depressing, Motta is an embarrassment.

 

[Stephan]

He didnt have a good game against Fiorentina and lost the ball couple of times. He will face the likes of Bale/CRonaldo who will play on the left flank. Not saying any other candidates are better but we are mightily ****ed with Licht out. Goes to show you even more that this system we have works only if every XI is on the pitch.

I suspect Conte will either go with Pogba or Padoin. Or maybe he will surprise, Caceres is on the list for Madrid as well:

1 Buffon
3 Chiellini
4 Caceres
5 Ogbonna
6 Pogba
8 Marchisio
10 Tevez
11 De Ceglie
12 Giovinco
13 Peluso
14 Llorente
15 Barzagli
19 Bonucci
20 Padoin
21 Pirlo
22 Asamoah
23 Vidal
30 Storari
33 Isla
34 Rubinho

 

[adriano_c]

Soooooooooooooooooooooooo much money spent on "depth" and we're ****ed with one player out.

Unreal.

 

[Nero]

Isla really was a complete waste of a purchase, even if i have to admit to being one of the people here that wanted to retain him this season, however with the hindsight of being able to witness his likely complete uselessness in training, i have no idea why Conte decided to keep him.

I really question this guy's judgment nowadays.

 

[Catenaccio]

Assuming Vidal is fit to play, the starting line-up seems pretty straight forward with the exception of 2 places.....A) I wouldn't be surprised if Conte replaces Asamoah with Peluso to be more defensive; and B) Whether Giovinco or Llorente partner Tevez up front.

My best guess is (Pogba will take right flank in my opinion):

Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Pogba, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah, Tevez, Llorente

Bench: Storari, Ogbonna, Caceres, Padoin, Peluso, Isla, Giovinco

Not many options on the bench it has to be said.

 

[CUG]

Was thinking the same...no real threat waiting to come on who can make a difference.

Let's just hope the starting 11 can do their job for the majority of the game.

 

[Stephan]

Well, s--t happens like they say, unfortunate to have lost both Mirko and Quags.

 

[makbeth]

Soooooooooooooooooooooooo much money spent on "depth" and we're ****ed with one player out.

Unreal.

lol. So true :wallbang:

Seriously, 2 seasons straight of signing squad players and none available.


I think this is a game for giovinco. I would say our best chance at getting a goal is through his trickery, either leading to a goal himself or winning a freekick for pirlo to take. I would also play tevez just on the off-chance he can crack a goal in. I dont see any of our other forwards coming close to goal.


This game is too big for pogba. We pretty much have to play him but I dont expect a good performance. He is far too concerned with looking fancy these days and in such a big game he may feel the need to make "big" plays. That may work out by pure chance but odds are it will be a waste of a good portion of our possession.

Buffon hasnt had a good game in a while now and bonucci has an awful habit in these big games. Those two look like our biggest liabilities right now but I can see any of our players potentially going missing.

I think this game could come down to how well vidal and marchisio play. That will determine our general strength in possession, while our defence really comes down to a wing and a prayer. Madrid may simply over run us with class, or we may derp them a soft goal.


I just really hope we dont get hammered, a win would be extraordinary.

 

[Nyuka]

According to Tuttojuve, we are preparing to play with one forward (Tevez), with Marchisio taking the space behind him. Isla might also start.

 

[Josué]

Spanish media are saying Ancelotti will start with Isco on the bench, meaning Modric would be more advanced in front of Illarramendi and Khedira in central midfield. I think your massive gulf in quality in the midfield could be the deciding factor. Draw is the most likely result, IMO.

 

[Nero]

Why bench Isco, isn't he one of your best players?

You guys have a great midfield, no need to be modest.