Juventus and Real Madrid must negotiate important injuries ahead of their clash, but the Italians could be better off.
The first leg of the Champions League semi-final between the two teams will kick off tomorrow evening at 7.45pm UK time.
The Old Lady march into the game shorn of a key player in the shape of Paul Pogba.
The Frenchman may recover in time for the second leg, but in the meantime the keys to the midfield will likely be handed the old Antonio Conte trio – Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio.
Juventus and Real Madrid must negotiate important injuries ahead of their clash, but the Italians could be better off.
The first leg of the Champions League semi-final between the two teams will kick off tomorrow evening at 7.45pm UK time.
The Old Lady march into the game shorn of a key player in the shape of Paul Pogba.
The Frenchman may recover in time for the second leg, but in the meantime the keys to the midfield will likely be handed the old Antonio Conte trio – Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio.
Indications from training are that they will be backed by the tried and tested duo of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini in defence, as part of a back four.
Attack is believed to be a straight race between Alvaro Morata and Fernando Llorente to partner Carlos Tevez, with the former currently shading things.
Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti was forced to drop Karim Benzema at the last minute, and he will be without Luka Modric too.
But Gareth Bale is back in the team after recovering from a calf injury, and will likely be asked to flank Cristiano Ronaldo.
There is speculation that the Italian may opt for a 4-4-2 rather than a 4-3-3, while Sergio Ramos teeters between being pushed up into the midfield or held back in a defensive role.
Probable line-ups:
Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio; Pereyra; Tevez, Morata
Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Khedira, Isco; James, Bale, Ronaldo