Can Atletico smash Juve’s dreams?

Atletico Madrid will aim to smash Juventus’ dreams of UEFA Champions League glory when the teams meet in the first leg of their last 16 clash on Wednesday, 20 February 2019. The match at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano will kick-off at 22h00 CAT.

Atletico earned their place in the knockout phase with a second-place finish in Group A, behind German Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund. The Madrid side lost just once in the pool, but it was a stinging one, as they were hammered 4-0 at the Westfalenstadion back in October.

The defeat spurred the Rojiblancos on, as they went undefeated through the remainder of their group games and were only ranked second behind Dortmund on goal difference in their head-to-head meetings.

Manager Diego Simeone will be eager to overcome Juventus and prove that Atletico can finally win the Champions League, having come so close in 2014 and 2016. He will hope that key men such as Diego Godin, Antoine Griezmann and Angel Correa produce their best for this match.

Juve, meanwhile, lost two of their Group H matches but still finished at the head of the table, with Manchester United in second, Valencia third and Young Boys fourth.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side are well in charge of the Serie A title race and can afford to focus more attention on their UEFA Champions League campaign, as they seek to win Europe’s top prize for the first time since 1996.

The Bianconeri will look to five-time UCL winner Cristiano Ronaldo for inspiration, and the Portuguese superstar is well versed in taking on Atletico from his lengthy spell with derby rivals Real Madrid.

In head-to-head stats, Atletico and Juventus have met in two previous European club competition matches. Both took place in the group stage of the 2014/15 Champions League, with the Spanish side winning their home match 1-0 (thanks to a goal from Arda Turan), while the return game in Turin ended goalless.

The return match of this last 16 tie will be held at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on 12 March.

Atletico Madrid v Juventus – Head-to-head, European competitions

Matches played 2

Atletico wins 1

Juventus wins 0

Draws 1

Last five results (Champions League only, most recent first)

Atletico | D | W | W | L | W
Juventus | L | W | L | W | W