While much of the Tuesday slate of Champions League matches this week isn't exactly thrilling, one of the more intriguing matchups this week is in Group A. The group leaders Olympiacos are visiting Turin to take on Juventus, who have yet to see their long run of league success translate in to any sort of sustained European form.
Juventus vs. Olympiacos, 2014 UEFA Champions League: Time, TV schedule and game preview
Group A leaders Olympiacos head to Turin to face Juventus as we enter the second half of the group stages.
Claudio Villa
Everyone expected Atletico Madrid to walk away with this group, with Juventus likely coming in second over Olympiacos while group minnows Malmo bring up the rear. Instead, Olympiacos have beaten both Juventus and Atleti (though they surprisingly lost at Malmo), and sit atop the group thanks to holding that head-to-head tiebreaker with Atletico. Juventus, meanwhile, have only beaten Malmo, as their continental form has been anything but impressive. Now that they get to face the bigger clubs at home, though, the defending Italian champions will be hoping to change the story.
Key player - Andrea Pirlo (Juventus)
As Pirlo’s form goes, so does Juventus’, or at least that’s been the story lately. Pirlo has seemed ageless the last few years, continuing to put in masterclass performances for the Old Lady despite being well in to his thirties. Lately, however, the road hasn’t been as smooth for Pirlo, with the venerable Italian struggling to show his usual silky form. He scored a goal from a gorgeous, dipping free kick over the weekend, though, which Juventus fans will hope to mean that their star is headed back in the right direction.
Key Matchup - Kostas Mitroglou vs. Leonardo Bonucci
If Olympiacos are going to get a result from this match, testing Juventus' battered and potentially makeshift back line will be key for them. Mitroglu is their joint-top scorer with former Fulham teammate Pajtim Kasami, and Olympiacos is hoping that he'll be able to use his physicality to win battles with Bonucci, who has struggled with stronger strikers this season. If Mitroglu can win one-on-one matchups with Bonucci, it will force Juventus to double-mark him, opening more space for Kasami and Olympiacos' other attacking midfielders to exploit, something Juve can't afford to give up.
Juventus injuries and suspensions
Out: Martin Caceres (thigh), Patrice Evra (hamstring), Andrea Barzagli (heel), Luca Marrone (thigh) In doubt: Kwadwo Asamoah (knock), Angelo Ogbonna (knock)
Olympiacos injuries and suspensions
Out: Alberto Botia (illness) In doubt: none
Juventus have been struggling with injuries all season long, and their back line in particular is incredibly thin right now. Barzagli has been out all season long and Caceres has missed basically all season as well, and both Evra and Marrone have missed significant time of late. Now with Asamoah and Ogbonna in question after picking up knocks over the weekend, manager Max Allegri might be hoping for a minor miracle.
Match Date/Time: Tuesday, 8:45 pm local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy
TV: Fox Sports Plus (U.S. - English), ESPN Deportes (U.S. - Spanish)
Online: Fox Soccer 2GO (U.S.), Sky GO (U.K.)
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