In the first leg clash at El Madrigal, Dusan Vlahovic put Juve ahead inside the opening 32 seconds before Dani Parejo scored a late equaliser for the Yellow submarines.
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After a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the first leg, Juventus will host Villarreal for the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie at Allianz Stadium on Wednesday night. Both sides are heading into the contest on the back of victories as Juve defeated Sampdoria 3-1 in Serie A while Villarreal edged past Celta Vigo in La Liga. In the first leg clash at El Madrigal, Dusan Vlahovic put Juve ahead inside the opening 32 seconds before Dani Parejo scored a late equaliser for the Yellow submarines.
Here’s a reminder of how the first leg of our @ChampionsLeague Round of 16 against @juventusfcen went ?. pic.twitter.com/iKaxmfsriG
— Villarreal CF English (@VillarrealCFen) March 15, 2022
Juventus are now unbeaten in their last 12 games in all competitions, their last defeat was against Inter Milan in the Super Cup in January. In the last match against Sampdoria, head coach Massimiliano Allegri gave some rest to Vlahovic and Moise Kean started up front alongside Alvaro Morata.
It was a clinical performance from the Turin club as they managed to score three times from just six chances created. Maya Yosida’s own goal put Juve in front before Alvaro Morata scored a double to seal the win.
The abolition of away goal rule means both slides enter the contest on a level playing field. Villarreal will travel to Turin as underdogs but the Europa League champions are capable of punching above their weight.
Unai Emery’s side’s form has been hot n cold since the 1-1 draw against Juve, thrashing Espanyol 5-1, going down 1-0 to Osasuna and edging 1-0 past Celta Vigo in Saturday’s fixture courtesy of another second-half Parejo goal
Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria is out with a muscular injury while Weston McKennie and Federico Chiesa are out for the long-term. Meanwhile Paulo Dybala and Giorgio Chiellini are expected to make their return after recovering from injuries.
Star-striker Vlahovic will lead the attack alongside Morata, and if Dybala is fit, Allegri could start with a three-man attack with dybala on the right. Chiellini is poised to take Daniele Rugani’s place in defence if he is deemed fit.
As for Villarreal, veteran central defender Raul Albiol had to be taken off at half-time against Celta Vigo due to hamstring discomfort, although Emery has affirmed his substitution was precautionary and he has not been ruled out for the second leg.
Francis Coquelin is expected to com in for Vicente Iborra and play alongside Parejo in the midfield. Arnaut Danuma will shoulder the goal-scoring burden with Giovani Lo Celso.
