This week, Real Madrid and Juventus will meet in a highly anticipated match at the Santiago Bernabéu, marking their first confrontation in seven years. These two legendary clubs have a storied history in European competitions, with memorable encounters dating back to 1962. Their last major clash occurred in 2017 when Real Madrid triumphed over Juventus to capture consecutive Champions League titles.
Match Background
Since their summer encounter in the FIFA Club World Cup, in which Real Madrid secured a narrow 1–0 victory, both teams have undergone significant changes in their squads and coaching staff. Currently, Real Madrid is on a winning streak, having won 10 out of their last 12 matches. In stark contrast, Juventus is struggling, failing to win any of their last six games.
Current Form and Lineups
Real Madrid’s Recent Performance
- Victories in the last 10 of 12 matches.
- Only one defeat across all competitions this season.
- Key players include Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.
Injuries and Squad Changes
Real Madrid will be without several key players due to injuries:
- Trent Alexander-Arnold – Out
- Dani Carvajal – Out
- David Alaba – Calf injury
- Dean Huijsen, Dani Ceballos, Antonio Rüdiger – Unavailable
Manager Xabi Alonso will likely rely on Federico Valverde and Raúl Asencio to bolster the defense. He must also decide on the role of Jude Bellingham, given the upcoming El Clásico against Barcelona.
Juventus’ Challenges
Juventus is hoping for a turnaround as they prepare for the crucial match against Real Madrid. They will gain reinforcements with Fabio Miretti and Edon Zhegrova returning from injury. However, their lineup will still miss:
- Gleison Bremer – Knee injury
- Juan Cabal – Thigh injury
Amidst their struggles, Kenan Yıldız, a 20-year-old forward, is under pressure to break his scoring drought to aid in snapping Juventus’ winless streak.
Predictions and Expectations
With Juventus grappling with inconsistency, the odds are against them in this match. Real Madrid is currently undefeated in the Champions League and poised to take advantage of their opponents’ vulnerabilities.
Predicted score: Real Madrid 2–0 Juventus.
Fans can catch the match via various broadcasting channels, including Paramount+ and DAZN in the US, and TNT Sports in the UK.
