Overcoming hell to go to heaven. Juventus is preparing for the most important match of the last 12 years with the aim of playing another one, even more beautiful and historic, in less than a month. The final in Berlin is near but before thinking about Barcelona, who qualified despite the defeat in Monaco, we need to go through the Santiago Bernabeu unscathed. Madrid's temple will be hot, both in terms of fans (80 spectators) and climate (expected 32° at Eriksson's kick-off). A hell in fact, from which Juve will have to pass unscathed if they want to continue the Champions League dream.
“At this point we want to get to Berlin, indeed we have to get there – said Massimiliano Allegri at the press conference. – An excellent performance will be needed both from a technical and mental point of view, it will take great courage”. A strong and clear message from the Juventus coach: speculating on the result of the first leg could turn out to be a big mistake. Indeed, it is true that a 2-1 draw in Turin would make even a draw perfect, it is equally true that blocking the Bernabeu is tantamount to tactical suicide.
“We can't think of managing the match – admitted Allegri. – They play even more offensively at home, just shutting down would be a mistake. The more we have the ball, the less they will have a chance to score." In short, the intention is to play for it, just like at the Stadium. This time, however, there won't be 40 allies in the stands but 80 opponents in the white jersey, ready to do anything to push Madrid to the final in Berlin.
But be careful: a lot of pressure must be handled with care otherwise it can also backfire. Ancelotti knows this well, someone who has been fighting against the Madrid critics for two years, despite the 4 titles won, among which the Champions League stands out. Tonight Carlo is playing the season (La Liga is practically gone) and, almost certainly, also the bench. He will do it his way, that is, not caring about the thousands of controversies that haunt the "casa blanca".
In order: the ferocious diatribe between the fans and Casillas, the public outburst of Bale's agent ("if they passed him the ball would be the best"), Ronaldo's impatience (he hasn't released interviews for months), the aversion for some tactical choices (above all Sergio Ramos in midfield). “All of this doesn't interest me, I've seen my parents very concentrated and when it's like this, usually, we don't make mistakes – glossed over Ancelotti. Bale's attorney? Some people talk too much… Casillas? I don't understand the boos, just as I didn't understand Ronaldo's. Ramos? It is possible that he will play in midfield again ”.
In short, a head-on collision with the Bernabeu, a sort of all-in in which all the stakes are played in one, very risky, hand. The eve at Juve was decidedly more serene and this is Allegri's first victory. In fact, the success of the first leg strengthened convictions and stimuli: Berlin is no longer a dream but a concrete goal. “It will be 90' long, very long – sighed captain Buffon. – It will be the game of black and white pride, of all of us, from the players to the fans. We know how important it is to be in the semifinals after so many years, the important thing will be to leave the field without regrets”.
After last week's tactical surprises (above all Sturaro in Pereyra's place), Allegri will return to line up a typical Juve. The 4-3-1-2 will see Buffon in goal, Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini and Evra in defence, Pogba, Pirlo and Marchisio in midfield, Vidal in the frontline, Tevez and Morata in attack. Ancelotti, compared to the 4-4-2 in Turin, will return to a 4-3-3, however, renouncing Benzema: the Frenchman is not at his best and will start from the bench. Carvajal, Pepe, Varane and Marcelo will act in defense in front of the very booed Casillas, while Sergio Ramos should meet again in midfield, flanked by Kroos (also injured) and James Rodriguez. There in front of the trident Bale-Hernandez-Ronaldo, the latter decisive with the double that, last season, allowed the blancos to beat Juve at the Bernabeu.
The stadium in Madrid has never been easy: of the 7 previous ones, in fact, 5 smiled at the hosts (the most recent, in fact, is the 2-1 on 23 October 2013) and only 2 at the guests. But if the first dates back to the mists of time (February 21, 1962, Sivori's goal), the last one is decidedly fresher: November 5, 2008, 0-2 signed by Del Piero complete with a final standing ovation.
A night like this would be needed to go to Berlin, to play for the final against Luis Enrique's Barcelona. Which yesterday, as expected, overcame Bayern's obstacle, to tell the truth already largely overtaken with the 3-0 victory in the first leg. The Germans tried but the 3-2 final (goals from Benatia, Lewandowski and Muller, brace from Neymar for Barça) only served to fuel regrets. The Blaugrana will go to Berlin on June 6th. Just a few more hours and we will know if Juventus will be up front.
