Barcelona v Juventus: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Monday, September 11, 2017
Article summary
"Two of the most powerful teams in Europe" according to Ernesto Valverde, Barcelona and Juventus open their 2017/18 campaigns in a repeat of last season's quarter-final.
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Article body
- Barcelona and Juventus renew their rivalry to open Group D
- Barça beat Juve in 2015 final but lost their quarter-final last season
- Barcelona on 21-match unbeaten home run in Europe
- Giorgio Chiellini and Mario Mandžukić joined Juve injury list on Monday
- Barça's Lionel Messi three shy of 100 UEFA club competition goals
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Possible line-ups
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Piqué, Umtiti, Alba; Rakitić, Busquets, Iniesta; Dembélé, Suárez, Messi.
Out: Arda Turan (hamstring), Paco Alcácer (illness)
Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Benatia, Rugani, Alex Sandro; Matuidi, Pjanić, Sturaro; Douglas Costa, Dybala; Higuaín.
Out: Cuadrado (suspended), Marchisio (knee), Khedira (knee), Chiellini (calf), Mandžukić (leg)
Doubtful: Alex Sandro (illness)
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
Ernesto Valverde, Barcelona coach
Juve are a very powerful team and no one needs reminding how they knocked Barcelona out last season. They are strong at bringing the ball out and are excellent at pressing high up the pitch. When their attacking players connect, they really know how to create danger. This is a game between two of the most powerful teams in Europe.
Massimiliano Allegri, Juventus coach
Tomorrow will be a great game of football. I say that in football each season is different to the one before. The season is going to be long, and we have to take it step by step. We're not at our optimum physical state yet as we're just starting. The objective is to get to March and be in all three competitions. We have had some changes at Juve this season, but we have managed them well. Along with Madrid, [Barcelona] are favourites to win the Champions League.
Weekend results
Barcelona 5-0 Espanyol
Juventus 3-0 Chievo
Form guide*
Barcelona: WWWLL
Juventus: WWWL
*All competitions, this season only. Most recent result first
Reporter's view: Paolo Menicucci (@UEFAcomPaoloM)
I don't think Barcelona will encounter the same brick wall they ran into in the return leg of last season's quarter-final, as Juventus are still searching for their usual defensive stability after selling Leonardo Bonucci to AC Milan in the summer. With Paulo Dybala in such brilliant form, however, the Bianconeri could also trouble the Barcelona defensive line. I therefore expect something different to the goalless draw when these sides faced each other at the Camp Nou last term.
Did you know?
Barça's 2016/17 campaign was curtailed by Juventus, who held out for a goalless draw at the Camp Nou in the quarter-final second leg, completing a 3-0 aggregate victory. Read more in our extensive match background.