Why Wednesday's Juve-Barca match will be different than past ones

20 nov 2017

Wednesday will see two of the most highly regarded and lavishly awarded clubs in soccer history take the pitch in mouthwatering Champions League matchup. While Juventus and Barcelona have played each other eight times in European competition, their ninth match will have an unfamiliar atmosphere at kickoff.

Typically, when the two clubs have met, they have been evenly matched with both in form. However, Barcelona will have a significant advantage as they come in playing dominant, confident football while Juventus is reeling from a shocking loss to Sampdoria. The Bianconeri find themselves sitting just one point above Roma for the final Champions League spot in Serie A, despite playing one more match than the Giallorossi.

The historically even matchup has yielded results that you’d come to expect from the teams. Barcelona has won three and Juve two, while it’s produced three ties.

It appears Juve’s current form combined with their European history create an “unstoppable force meets an immovable object,” type of clash. The Bianconeri haven’t lost a home Champions League match at home since 2009, including an incredible 19-1-9 run against Spanish opponents in Torino.

Though they are both giants, Juventus-Barcelona will have a David-Goliath feel to it, when looking at recent form. We’ll see if Max Allegri’s side can raise their game and keep history on their side at Allianz Stadium.