Juventus and Borussia Dortmund will open their UEFA Champions League campaigns in Turin on Tuesday night in a fixture steeped in history, with memories still lingering of Dortmund’s famous victory over the Italians in the 1997 final.
Both sides arrive with optimism after strong domestic results at the weekend, though each will be aware of the challenges ahead in a demanding new league-phase format.
Juventus form and outlook
Juventus are back in the Champions League for a second successive season after finishing fourth in Serie A last term. Their European return last season began with a 3-1 victory over PSV, but home form proved inconsistent in the league phase, with only two wins in four matches – one of those a defeat to Stuttgart.
Massimiliano Allegri’s men enter this clash buoyed by a dramatic 4-3 win over Inter Milan on Saturday, a result that underlined both their attacking flair and defensive fragility. Encouragingly for Juventus, five of their last eight competitive fixtures have produced at least five goals, suggesting another open encounter could be in store.
Dortmund’s challenge
Borussia Dortmund also began last season’s campaign strongly, sweeping aside Club Brugge 3-0 away from home. Yet their mixed away form in the league phase (two wins, two defeats) makes them something of an unknown quantity in Turin.
Edin Terzić’s side maintained their unbeaten domestic start with a 2-0 win against Heidenheim at the weekend, and recent history points to further success. Dortmund have won three of their last four opening fixtures in the group or league phase of the Champions League. Seven of their eight matches in last season’s competition produced over 2.5 goals, underlining their attacking approach.
Head-to-head record
Juventus have historically had the upper hand in this fixture, winning six of nine competitive meetings, including their most recent clash in the 2014/15 Champions League last 16. However, Dortmund’s 3-1 triumph in the 1997 final at Munich’s Olympiastadion remains the most iconic encounter between the two clubs.
Players to watch
Kenan Yıldız has emerged as a crucial figure for Juventus, with eight of his last nine goals coming before half-time, including the opener in their first Champions League fixture last year. For Dortmund, Maximilian Beier has been decisive of late, directly contributing to two goals in his last two appearances. Dortmund have won eight of the ten matches in which he has found the net.
Team news
Juventus will be without Arkadiusz Milik and Francisco Conceição, while Dortmund’s injury list includes several key players, among them former Juventus midfielder Emre Can.
Outlook
With Juventus involved in high-scoring encounters in recent weeks and Dortmund favouring an attacking style, the contest promises goals. History, form, and personnel all suggest this could be one of the standout matches of matchday one.
