Real Madrid have a healthy squad and that is good news for coach Zinedine Zidane. Gareth Bale, Isco Alarcon, Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez are all starting-caliber players but will be competing for two spots in Real’s starting XI, considering that both Benzema and Ronaldo are expected to start upfront.
Keep in mind that it will be crucial for Madrid to score at least one away goal here. That’s just how the knock-out stages work and that’s mainly why Zidane could go for an attacking lineup this time around.
Juventus: Buffon; De Sciglio, Barzagli, Chiellini, Asamoah; Khedira, Bentancur, Matuidi; Dybala, Higuaín, Douglas Costa
Out: Benatia (suspended), Pjanić (suspended), Bernardeschi (knee)
Doubtful: Mandžukić (thigh), Alex Sandro (thigh)
Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modrić, Bale; Ronaldo, Benzema
Out: Nacho (ankle)
Will Zidane deploy the BBC back on the field in order to force Juventus to play with a defensive-minded attitude? Isco completed a brilliant performance with Spain and appears to be in good form, but his importance within Real’s rotation has decreased lately. Asensio and Vazquez, meanwhile, seem to make more sense in a 4-4-2 when either Kroos or Modric aren’t ready to play, so Bale could have the edge here if he is ready.
HOW TO WATCH, STREAM CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Date: 04/03/2018
Time: 20:45 CET, 02:45pm EST, 11:45am Pacific.
Venue: Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy.
Available TV: FOX Sports 1 (USA), BT Sport 2 (UK), Antena 3 (Spain).
Available Streaming: FOX Sports GO (USA), Fubo.TV (EVERY Real Madrid game with a high-quality and legal stream, click here to sign up and benefit from a winter discount for new members and Managing Madrid readers).