Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to inflict more misery on Atletico Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to inflict more misery on Atletico Madrid when his Juventus side try and come back from a 2-0 deficit in their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday night

Juventus and Atletico Madrid lock horns on Tuesday night in the Champions League. Los Rojiblancos hold a 2-0 advantage after a dominating performance at the Wanda Metropolitano last month. 

Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin found the back of the net for the hosts while Jan Oblak ensured that their Italian visitors got nothing in reply. 

When the two teams met in the group stages back in 2014, just one goal was scored over 180 minutes, with Atletico grabbing the honours in that tie. 

Both teams boast sturdy back-lines and it’s safe to assume there won’t be a lot of goals scored in Turin. 

Juve face a daunting task, given one goal by the visitors will leave them needing four. We take a look at some of the talking points ahead of the big game

Ronaldo celebrates with Sergio Ramos after scoring the first of his hat-trick in the semi-final

Mr. Champions League took the flight to Turin last summer in search of a ‘new challenge’.  To his credit, Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the top-scorer in Serie A and on course to lead his team to an eighth consecutive Scudetto. 

But their standards are high, and the Bianconeri can’t be content with just the league title. The statement they made by signing the Portuguese was that – after defeats in the 2015 and 2017 finals – they were determined to add a coveted third elite European trophy to their cabinet. 

A domestic double is also out of the question, given Juventus were knocked out by Atalanta in the Copa Italia via a 3-0 humiliation. 

The Italian giants – and Ronaldo in particular – have failed to make it count on the biggest stage in Europe. 

Ronaldo has just one goal to his name in the Champions League so far this term and is under pressure to perform against a side he treated like a punching bag during his time in Spain. Ronaldo has been directly involved in 30 goals in 31 appearances against Atleti and will be licking lips at the prospect of increasing those numbers. 

This is the biggest game of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s Juve career so far and he has to come clutch to strengthen his claim of not only being superior to Lionel Messi, but also not turning out the light prematurely on the first season of his new challenge. 

It was a night to forget for the Portuguese star as Juventus lost the first leg 2-0 last month

Diego Simeone has watched his team get eliminated from the Champions League at the hands of city rivals Real Madrid four times in the last five years. The only time this did not happen, Atletico failed to make it out of the group and ended up being crowned Europa League champions. 

In the Champions League, they have always been in the shadow of their illustrious rivals from across the Spanish capital. The defending but soon to be dethroned champions showed them the door in the 2017 semi-finals while heartbreakingly denying them the title in 2014 and 2016 finals. 

With Los Blancos now out of the competition, Los Rojiblancos have been given a huge boost to go all the way. With their Achilles heel eliminated after a humiliating loss to Ajax, Atletico will have to ensure that a golden opportunity of winning a trophy so evasive – they have never won it – especially in recent history, is dealt with great calmness and composure. 

You can expect Simeone to protect a 2-0 lead, but the Argentine needs to be wary of Juventus’s ability to come back from the jaws of defeat as demonstrated by the Old Lady last season against Real. It took a controversial injury-time penalty from Ronaldo to prevent the Italians from coming back after a 3-0 deficit in the first leg. 

It was a night to forget for the Portuguese star as Juventus lost the first leg 2-0 last month

Massimiliano Allegri’s tactical set-up this season has seen a 4-3-3 formation preferred to their traditional 3-5-2. The system is less conservative and more attack-minded. Against Atletico, the Italian might have to tweak it a little to ensure more stability at the back and provide options going forward. 

Joao Cancelo has been one of the best attacking full-backs in Europe this term and his absence provided Atletico more freedom on that flank in the first leg. The Portuguese could prove to be the most crucial piece of the puzzle on Tuesday night. 

A 3-5-2 formation with Alex Sandro and Cancelo as wing-backs could allow Juve to stretch Atletico’s defence and create threats out wide. This also ensures that the defence is secure with three players not burdened with attacking duties unless a set-piece opportunity pops up.

Note that it’s important for the hosts to refrain from conceding as one away goal for Atletico could kill the tie off. 

Blaise Matuidi, Miralem Pjanic and Paulo Dybala can shape the midfield as Ronaldo and Mario Mandzukic lead the front-line. 

Will Allegri opt for Cancelo as an attacking option or will Mattea De Sciglio retain his spot? If he does shift to a 3-5-2, which midfielder will lose his place? The answer to these questions is likely to shape the course of the game. 

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