Advertisement

What chance do Celtic have against Juventus?

Only three months ago Celtic shocked the mighty Barcelona on a glorious night at Celtic Park. But...
Newstalk
Newstalk

21.38 9 Feb 2013


Share this article


What chance do Celtic have aga...

What chance do Celtic have against Juventus?

Newstalk
Newstalk

21.38 9 Feb 2013


Share this article


Only three months ago Celtic shocked the mighty Barcelona on a glorious night at Celtic Park. But they will need to perform more miracles if they are to pull off a two-legged victory over Italian champions Juventus, starting with the first leg on Tuesday.

The counter-attacking template that Neil Lennon’s men used to good effect on their way to the knockout stages will not alter against Juve.

The Turin giants like to monopolise possession – they have the highest average possession rate in Serie A at 59 per cent – but unlike Barca’s metronomic style they also have an element of directness.

Advertisement

Juve have taken 19.4 shots per game in Serie A, the most of any team. And although they are still top of the league, Antonio Conte’s side have sometimes struggled to convert the countless chances that they have created.

Strikeforce

Simply put, Juventus are devoid of a world-class centre-forward to complement a midfield which is the second-best in Europe behind Barca’s.

The Bianconeri have six strikers on their books with footballing nomad Nicolas Anelka the latest addition to a strikeforce that includes Sebastian Giovinco, Mirko Vucinic, the on-loan Nicklas Bendtner, Alessandro Matri and Fabio Quagliarella.

Bendtner has been a failure, Matri underwhelming while Quagliarella does not seem to be the long-term answer despite scoring seven goals in 14 games.

Meanwhile Nicolas Anelka has spent the last year in China and is past his best at 33.

Vucinic’s talent is undoubted but the Montenegrin has never been consistently prolific during his career. The same goes for the 26-year-old Giovinco who is more of a second striker than a centre-forward.

Manager Conte is likely to go with two of Giovinco, Vucinic and Quagliarella in a 3-5-2 at Celtic Park on Tuesday.

The Juve coach modified his tactics on a regular basis last season, using a variety of formations including a 3-4-3, 4-3-3 and 3-5-2.

This term he has been less flexible, sticking to a 3-5-2 with Swiss right wing-back Stefan Lichsteiner and Ghanaian Kwadwo Asamoah midfielder on either flank, either side of the evergreen Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal in midfield.

In Serie A, Juve put great emphasis on pumping balls in from wide areas, something which Celtic did not have to face against Barcelona.

In the middle Pirlo will dictate the tempo of Juve’s forward forays so it will be important for Celtic’s second striker to drop back and put Pirlo under sufficient pressure. Easier said than done of course!

The solid three-man defence usually consists of Italy trio Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci who play out from the back.

Juventus’ defence is quite formidable, conceding 9.3 shots per game – the lowest in Serie A.

But Chiellini will miss both matches against Celtic which will be a slight boost for the Hoops as the left-footed defender gives balance on the left side of La Vecchia Signora’s back three.

All in all, even though Barcelona are superior to Juventus, Celtic will face a much more varied outfit which will provide plenty of food for thought for Lennon.  


Share this article


Read more about

Sport

Most Popular