Story so far: Juventus

Juventus made amends for not making it out of the group stage last season by finishing second in the only section including four domestic league winners. Despite suffering back-to-back 1-0 away defeats on matchdays two and three, two consecutive victories put the Bianconeri back on track and Massimiliano Allegri's side finished their job with a goalless draw on matchday six.

Story so far
Carlos Tévez scored his first UEFA Champions League goals since April 2009 as Juventus started their Group A campaign by defeating Malmö FF 2-0 in Turin. The Bianconeri then visited last season's finalists, Club Atlético de Madrid, losing 1-0 and found themselves with their backs against a wall after going down by the same scoreline at Olympiacos FC.

Andrea Pirlo celebrated his 100th game in the UEFA Champions League by scoring with a trademark free-kick against the Greek champions in the Turin return but ghosts of last season's elimination appeared when Olympiacos turned things around to go 2-1 up. Juve, however, scored twice in quick succession to earn a crucial win. Goals by Fernando Llorente and Tévez then allowed the Italian champions to win 2-0 at Malmö meaning the following 0-0 draw against Atlético in Turin was enough to qualify.

Pivotal moment
For the must-win game against Olympiacos on matchday four, Massimiliano Allegri opted to change the 3-5-2 system, which helped Juventus win the Scudetto for three consecutive seasons under Antonio Conte, to field a 4-3-1-2. The Bianconeri played well but found themselves 2-1 down "without even realising it", as Allegri explained.

The luck the Bianconeri needed came when Llorente's header hit the upright, the ball struck goalkeeper Roberto and rebounded into the net. The momentum shifted in favour of the hosts who scored again soon after through Paul Pogba to earn three crucial points.

Key player: Carlos Tevéz 
The Argentinian scored three of Juventus' seven goals in the group stage. Already a key player for the Bianconeri due to his high energy, hard pressing game and leadership, the 30-year-old forward could become even more important now that his European drought is over. "Now the real Champions League is starting," he said after Juve qualified.

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Rising star: Paul Pogba
Already among the best midfielders in the world, despite being only 21. However, according to his coaches – Massimiliano Allegri and France boss Didier Deschamps – the margin for improvement is still huge. Powerful and skilful, with a keen eye for goal and the personality of a veteran, the sky is the limit for the young man from Lagny-sur-Marne.

Number: 461
Who has made the most passes in the group stage? Xabi Aloso? Toni Kroos? Cesc Fàbregas? All lag behind Giorgio Chiellini, who has completed 461 of his attempted 501 passes, both competition highs this season. With opponents often man marking the Bianconeri's creator Andrea Pirlo, Juventus need defenders who can build from the back. If Leonardo Bonucci's ability with the ball at his feet is no surprise, Chiellini's stats show how much the central defender has improved technically in recent years.

Quote
"We have to learn from Atlético. They never give anything away and that's what you have to do when you face top teams."
Massimilano Allegri after Juventus failed to score against Atlético in 180 minutes of football

Next challenge: Dortmund
(Home: 24 February, away: 18 March)
Dortmund beat Juventus 3-1 in the 1997 UEFA Champions League final in Munich, Karl-Heinz Riedle scoring twice in the first half and substitute Lars Ricken adding a clinching third seconds after his introduction after Alessandro Del Piero had halved the Juve deficit.