:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46205434/GettyImages-470709972.0.jpg)
- Juventus is one of the deadliest rivals Real Madrid has faced in history. Given how easily we passed the group stage and sent them out last season, Real Madrid fans may be happy about drawing Juventus for this year's semifinals, but we should not forget the 2003 semifinals, the 2005 Round of 16 or the 2009 group stage.
- The physical condition of both teams' players will be crucial to determine a winner. And Juventus will have an important advantage in this area, as their leadership in the Serie A is so solid that they will be able to use backup players in their weekend games if they need to. On the other hand, Los Blancos will have to do their best to beat Sevilla, before the first leg against Juventus, and Valencia, right afterwards, if they want to keep chasing FC Barcelona, and this may wear them down.
- Álvaro Morata will for sure want to show what he is capable of against Real Madrid. Our former canterano has rightfully earned a spot in the Spanish National Team thanks to his great performance in Juventus' frontline, accompanying Carlos el Apache Tévez, who is the most talented bianconero. Real Madrid should be worried that one of his former players could send them out of the Champions League once again, just like Morientes did in 2004.
- The presence of Paul Pogba will be uncertain until the last minute. When the Frenchman got injured in Dortmund, back in March, most reports claimed he would not be ready to play until the last week of May. However, Juventus medical staff hope now that he will be able to play the second leg against Real Madrid, and some reports that have come out today even claim he could be ready for the first leg. If Pogba takes Pereira's spot, Juventus will be much harder to beat.
- Juventus' 3-5-2 will be a headache for Carlo Ancelotti. The bianconeri may be the only top team in Europe that use this formation, and Real Madrid's coach will need to put all his tactical wisdom at stake to decipher his rivals' plan and win a tie that will most likely be decided by a very short margin, just like the quarterfinals against Atlético de Madrid.