After a crazed day in the Quarterfinals, we look to get back on track.
Real Madrid vs. Juventus (3-0)
Juventus will have to pull off the impossible to knock out the 2-time defending champions. Let’s use the term “impossible” loosely, as we saw on Tuesday, in European football, the game must be played, and anything can happen. So we find ourselves in a situation of one team having to go out and look to overturn a three-goal deficit, but in an even worse spot, they lost the first leg at home.
Adding to Juventus troubles will be the absence of the dynamic Dybala, after picking up a red card in the first leg, his absence will be hard felt as he is a ball dominant player that creates so much for the Italians. Juventus will have to play flawlessly while trying to keep Real Madrid off the score sheet. The Spanish side has been on fire lately netting 20 goals in the last seven contest. During this streak, they have also managed to score at least three goals in four of the seven matches.
The Pick
Juventus will need to come out and look for the ball, something that will hurt them as Real Madrid is a ball hog of a team. Although the Old lady has been known traditionally for their defensive tactics, in this head to head series, Madrid has managed to score in the last seven matches.
Today’s games saw two teams that had the benefit of playing with the home crowd behind them while trying to pull off impossible task; The Italians won’t have that luxury. Real Madrid will be playing with extreme caution with what happened to Barcelona, and scoring a quick goal, will put the final dagger in the hopes of Juventus. Sorry, but no miracle to see here.
Real Madrid Moneyline -152 2X
Real Madrid -1 +108
Real Madrid Team total Over 1.5 -185
Real Madrid Team total Over 2 +107
Ronaldo anytime Goal -155
Bayern Munchen vs. Sevilla (2-1)
Over history, only seven clubs have been able to claim “the treble.” Of those seven only one has been able to do it twice (Barcelona), Bayern is looking to repeat that of what they accomplished in 2012/13. In their way, a tough well-managed opponent that knows how to turn 2nd legs in their favor, as that’s what got them here. Current form for these two clubs are heading entirely in 2 different directions; the visitors are currently on a four-match winless streak, tacked on to only managing three wins in the last ten matches. Bayern, on the contrary, is 18-1-1 in the last 20 matches, and haven’t tasted defeat at home in this campaign with 18 wins and 2 draws. The Germans carry a 1 goal advantage coming into this match but, their manager is well aware of what can happen in European football, and his team, will be focused.
“When you lose 2-1 at home, you know you need to take risks [in the second leg] to qualify. You need to be more attacking, which is what Sevilla will be. But we have our own style and plan of attack. We will play like we always do at home. The Champions League is the competition every coach and player wants to win. You come up against the best teams in Europe. Of course, we want to win it.”- Jupp Heynckes, Bayern manager
Sevilla is no stranger to big games in European competitions, they will be patient in their attack and not take an all-out approach, only problem is at one point they will have to break form and make a frenzy of a match, to make the Germans uncomfortable. Sevilla gave up two away goals, meaning they will have to net at least twice on this night to have a chance.
“The match lasts 90 minutes, so it’s important that we are in it for the whole 90 minutes. We need to have balance. We don’t need to score as quickly as possible. It’s important that we stay in the game. We know we can score a goal or two in the second half, but we have to avoid conceding, especially in the second half.”- Vincenzo Montella, Sevilla manager
The Pick
Proceed this game with caution, as Bayern have the capability of holding the ball limiting the pace of the game, They are patient and extremely smart, they will take what is given to them but don’t force things.
Bayern Munchen HT / Bayern Munchen FT
Bayern Munchen Team Total Over 2.5
