The grand celebrations of Buenos Aires may have been cut short but it also allowed Argentina captain Lionel Messi to head home early. The 35-year-old returned to his home city of Rosario after winning. Messi arrived at the Rosario International Airport with teammates De Maria and Dybala.

Messi returns to hometown Rosario after winning FIFA World Cup

Andrea Pirlo will be hoping that the turn of the year can inject fresh impetus into his Juventus side when they return to action against Udinese on Sunday with a calamitous end to 2020 fresh in the memory. 
 
The Turin club’s nine-year dominance of Serie A is under threat this season, as the Italian champions must fight their way back into title contention after dropping six points in one day before the winter break. 
 
In the final round of action before Italy’s top division stopped for 10 days, Juventus fell to their first league defeat under Pirlo as struggling Fiorentina stormed to a shock 3-0 win in Turin. 
 
To make matters worse, the defeat came hours after news broke that Napoli had won an appeal against the decision to hand them a one-point deduction and award Juve a 3-0 victory for failing to turn up for their Serie A fixture in Turin in October. 
 
Napoli claimed that they were instructed by their local health authority to stay at home after two squad members had tested positive for COVID-19. 
 
But their appeals to Serie A’s disciplinary tribunal and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) were unsuccessful before the highest tribunal in Italian sport, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) Guarantee Board, ordered that the match be played later in the season. 
 
Juventus therefore lost three points from their league tally, and the subsequent combination of defeat by Fiorentina and leaders AC Milan`s late win away to Lazio suddenly left the champions down in sixth place and 10 points off top – having started the day in third and four points from first place. 
 
This sequence of events has left Pirlo and his side with a mountain to climb if they are to retain the domestic crown they`ve had an unshakeable grip on for almost a decade. 
 
Juventus` performance against Fiorentina also troubled the rookie coach, who has had a season of ups and downs since taking on his first managerial job by replacing Maurizio Sarri last year. 
 
"The attitude was wrong," he complained after the match. "We were thinking about the holidays already." 
 
Defender Leonardo Bonucci apologised to fans on social media, saying it was "the worst Juventus of the season". 
 
There will be little room for error when mid-table Udinese visit the Allianz Stadium on Sunday, as it is Juventus’ final test before they travel to San Siro to face unbeaten Milan on Wednesday. 
 
The league leaders travel to Benevento on Sunday, while second-placed Inter Milan, one point below them, host Crotone in the lunchtime kick-off. 
 
Third-placed AS Roma host Claudio Ranieri’s Sampdoria, while surprise package Sassuolo in fourth will welcome Atalanta to the Mapei Stadium in an intriguing meeting of two entertaining teams.

Andrea Pirlo will be hoping that the turn of the year can inject fresh impetus into his Juventus side when they return to action against Udinese on Sunday with a calamitous end to 2020 fresh in the memory.

Andrea Pirlo will be hoping that the turn of the year can inject fresh impetus into his Juventus side when they return to action against Udinese on Sunday with a calamitous end to 2020 fresh in the memory. The Turin club’s nine-year dominance of Serie A is under threat this season, as the Italian champions must fight their way back into title contention after dropping six points in one day before the winter break. In the final round of action before Italy’s top division stopped for 10 days, Juventus fell to their first league defeat under Pirlo as struggling Fiorentina stormed to a shock 3-0 win in Turin. To make matters worse, the defeat came hours after news broke that Napoli had won an appeal against the decision to hand them a one-point deduction and award Juve a 3-0 victory for failing to turn up for their Serie A fixture in Turin in October. Napoli claimed that they were instructed by their local health authority to stay at home after two squad members had tested positive for COVID-19. But their appeals to Serie A’s disciplinary tribunal and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) were unsuccessful before the highest tribunal in Italian sport, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) Guarantee Board, ordered that the match be played later in the season. Juventus therefore lost three points from their league tally, and the subsequent combination of defeat by Fiorentina and leaders AC Milan`s late win away to Lazio suddenly left the champions down in sixth place and 10 points off top – having started the day in third and four points from first place. This sequence of events has left Pirlo and his side with a mountain to climb if they are to retain the domestic crown they`ve had an unshakeable grip on for almost a decade. Juventus` performance against Fiorentina also troubled the rookie coach, who has had a season of ups and downs since taking on his first managerial job by replacing Maurizio Sarri last year. "The attitude was wrong," he complained after the match. "We were thinking about the holidays already." Defender Leonardo Bonucci apologised to fans on social media, saying it was "the worst Juventus of the season". There will be little room for error when mid-table Udinese visit the Allianz Stadium on Sunday, as it is Juventus’ final test before they travel to San Siro to face unbeaten Milan on Wednesday. The league leaders travel to Benevento on Sunday, while second-placed Inter Milan, one point below them, host Crotone in the lunchtime kick-off. Third-placed AS Roma host Claudio Ranieri’s Sampdoria, while surprise package Sassuolo in fourth will welcome Atalanta to the Mapei Stadium in an intriguing meeting of two entertaining teams.

Juventus aim to get back on course after disastrous end to 2020

Cristiano Ronaldo has finally scored a free-kick for his Juventus side and played a role in beating Torino 4-1 in the Derby Della Mole on Saturday.

This was Ronaldo's first goal through a free-kick for Juventus, he had attempted 43 times but could not find the back of the net. Another milestone was achieved by Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who made a record 648th Serie A appearance. The 42-year-old goalkeeper overtook Paolo Maldini (previous record-holder) when he was picked for his first league game this year.&nbsp;

Torino have failed to beat Juventus in the past 12 attempts. Juventus top the Serie A table with 75 points, whereas, Torino struggle on 15th position with just 31 points.&nbsp;

"We took the lead right away and then scored again. Maybe we thought it was going to be easy but the penalty got us nervous and made us lose control of the game," said Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri.

"We had a confusing phase at the start of the second half and then, when the two teams were tired, our quality came out."

After scoring a free-kick, Ronaldo was relieved by it.

"I needed to score from a free-kick to get my confidence back," he said.

Paulo Dybala opened the score for the team by scoring his trademark goal.&nbsp;

Cristiano Ronaldo has finally scored a free-kick for his Juventus side and played a role in beating Torino 4-1 in the Derby Della Mole on Saturday. This was Ronaldo's first goal through a free-kick for Juventus, he had attempted 43 times but could not find the back of the net.

Cristiano Ronaldo has finally scored a free-kick for his Juventus side and played a role in beating Torino 4-1 in the Derby Della Mole on Saturday. This was Ronaldo's first goal through a free-kick for Juventus, he had attempted 43 times but could not find the back of the net. Another milestone was achieved by Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who made a record 648th Serie A appearance. The 42-year-old goalkeeper overtook Paolo Maldini (previous record-holder) when he was picked for his first league game this year. Torino have failed to beat Juventus in the past 12 attempts. Juventus top the Serie A table with 75 points, whereas, Torino struggle on 15th position with just 31 points. "We took the lead right away and then scored again. Maybe we thought it was going to be easy but the penalty got us nervous and made us lose control of the game," said Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri. "We had a confusing phase at the start of the second half and then, when the two teams were tired, our quality came out." After scoring a free-kick, Ronaldo was relieved by it. "I needed to score from a free-kick to get my confidence back," he said. Paulo Dybala opened the score for the team by scoring his trademark goal.

Serie A: Ronaldo and Dybala star as Juventus beat Torina 4-1; Buffon hits another milestone

Lautaro Martinez's first-half brace sent Inter Milan top of Serie A on Sunday with a 2-1 win over SPAL after champions <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/juventus-inter-milan-return-to-serie-a-duel-as-napoli-try-to-snap-winless-run-265161">Juventus</a> were held at home by Sassuolo.

"We didn't use our heads," lamented Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri after his side dropped their first points at home this season.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cristiano-ronaldo-back-against-favourite-enemy-atletico-264553">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> scored from the spot to rescue a 2-2 draw but Juventus slipped one point behind Antonio Conte's Inter.

Argentinian Martinez put Inter ahead on 16 minutes at the San Siro, and then headed in Antonio Candreva's cross to score his eighth league goal this season.

Mattia Valoti pulled a goal back, but second-from-bottom SPAL fell to their ninth defeat of the campaign.

Conte has guided Chinese-owned Inter to 12 victories in 14 league games for the first time, and they reclaimed the top spot which they had previously held until their 2-1 defeat by Juventus on October 6.

"When a team like Juventus drops points, you need to make sure that you make the most of that," said former Juve coach Conte.

In Turin, Leonardo Bonucci struck early for the eight-time reigning champions but Ivorian Jeremie Boga and Francesco Caputo hit back for Sassuolo before Ronaldo's intervention.

Sassuolo, in 12th, claimed their first ever point at Juventus, and held Sarri's unbeaten champions to their third draw this season.

"We got into trouble on our own, we didn't use our heads in the first half, as the goals conceded show," said Sarri.

"But we were coming off two games in which we used up a lot of energy against Atalanta and Atletico Madrid. We woke up after going behind."

Veteran Gianluigi Buffon endured a nightmare in the Juventus goal.

The 41-year-old was making just his fifth start this season, putting him two short of Paolo Maldini's record of 647 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/serie-a-juventus-dybala-sinks-milan-as-angry-ronaldo-substituted-261314">Serie A</a> appearances.

Boga dinked the first Sassuolo goal on 22 minutes over the onrushing Buffon, who then fumbled in Caputo's second after the break following a mix-up between Juan Cuadrado and Matthijs de Ligt.

Napoli crisis intensifies&nbsp;

By contrast, 18-year-old Stefano Turati made an impressive debut in the Sassuolo goal, and pulled off a string of fine saves, denying a Ronaldo free-kick, Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala late on.

Ronaldo's penalty pulled the hosts level in the 68th minute after Filippo Romagna fouled substitute Dybala.

It was the Portuguese star's fifth Serie A goal this season, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner also having an effort ruled out for offside.

"Ronaldo has regained stamina, the next step will be to recover brilliance, but the road is right," insisted Sarri.

Lazio consolidated third place,&nbsp;seven points behind Inter,&nbsp;with a 3-0 win over Udinese thanks to a double from Serie A top scorer Ciro Immobile, including one from the spot, to bring his tally to 17 goals this season, and a Luis Alberto penalty.

Roma moved up to fourth, two points behind their city rivals, after a 3-1 win at midtable Verona, ahead of Cagliari, who host Sampdoria on Monday.

Justin Kluivert score after 17 minutes in Verona with Diego Perotti converting a penalty just before the break, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan adding a third in injury time.

But Napoli's winless run stretched to eight games in all competitions with a 2-1 defeat at home by Bologna, leaving last season's runners-up in seventh.

Bologna got their first win since October 27 with coach Sinisa Mihajlovic back on the bench following a bone marrow transplant as he fights leukaemia.

Despite taking a point in their <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-liverpool-and-napoli-left-with-work-to-do-after-anfield-draw-264987">Champions League game</a> at Liverpool in midweek Carlo Ancelotti's Napoli are five points off the top four.

"It's a very delicate time for us," said Ancelotti.

Fernando Llorente put Napoli ahead four minutes before half-time, but Dane Andreas Skov Olsen volleyed in an equaliser just before the hour with Nicola Sansone scoring the winner 10 minutes from time.

Llorente thought he had scored a 95th-minute leveller, but it was ruled offside by VAR.

AC Milan, struggling in 11th, got their first win in a month, 1-0 at Parma.

Lautaro Martinez's first-half brace sent Inter Milan top of Serie A on Sunday with a 2-1 win over SPAL after champions Juventus were held at home by Sassuolo. "We didn't use our heads," lamented Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri after his side dropped their first points at home this season.

Lautaro Martinez's first-half brace sent Inter Milan top of Serie A on Sunday with a 2-1 win over SPAL after champions Juventus were held at home by Sassuolo. "We didn't use our heads," lamented Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri after his side dropped their first points at home this season. Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the spot to rescue a 2-2 draw but Juventus slipped one point behind Antonio Conte's Inter. Argentinian Martinez put Inter ahead on 16 minutes at the San Siro, and then headed in Antonio Candreva's cross to score his eighth league goal this season. Mattia Valoti pulled a goal back, but second-from-bottom SPAL fell to their ninth defeat of the campaign. Conte has guided Chinese-owned Inter to 12 victories in 14 league games for the first time, and they reclaimed the top spot which they had previously held until their 2-1 defeat by Juventus on October 6. "When a team like Juventus drops points, you need to make sure that you make the most of that," said former Juve coach Conte. In Turin, Leonardo Bonucci struck early for the eight-time reigning champions but Ivorian Jeremie Boga and Francesco Caputo hit back for Sassuolo before Ronaldo's intervention. Sassuolo, in 12th, claimed their first ever point at Juventus, and held Sarri's unbeaten champions to their third draw this season. "We got into trouble on our own, we didn't use our heads in the first half, as the goals conceded show," said Sarri. "But we were coming off two games in which we used up a lot of energy against Atalanta and Atletico Madrid. We woke up after going behind." Veteran Gianluigi Buffon endured a nightmare in the Juventus goal. The 41-year-old was making just his fifth start this season, putting him two short of Paolo Maldini's record of 647 Serie A appearances. Boga dinked the first Sassuolo goal on 22 minutes over the onrushing Buffon, who then fumbled in Caputo's second after the break following a mix-up between Juan Cuadrado and Matthijs de Ligt. Napoli crisis intensifies By contrast, 18-year-old Stefano Turati made an impressive debut in the Sassuolo goal, and pulled off a string of fine saves, denying a Ronaldo free-kick, Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala late on. Ronaldo's penalty pulled the hosts level in the 68th minute after Filippo Romagna fouled substitute Dybala. It was the Portuguese star's fifth Serie A goal this season, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner also having an effort ruled out for offside. "Ronaldo has regained stamina, the next step will be to recover brilliance, but the road is right," insisted Sarri. Lazio consolidated third place, seven points behind Inter, with a 3-0 win over Udinese thanks to a double from Serie A top scorer Ciro Immobile, including one from the spot, to bring his tally to 17 goals this season, and a Luis Alberto penalty. Roma moved up to fourth, two points behind their city rivals, after a 3-1 win at midtable Verona, ahead of Cagliari, who host Sampdoria on Monday. Justin Kluivert score after 17 minutes in Verona with Diego Perotti converting a penalty just before the break, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan adding a third in injury time. But Napoli's winless run stretched to eight games in all competitions with a 2-1 defeat at home by Bologna, leaving last season's runners-up in seventh. Bologna got their first win since October 27 with coach Sinisa Mihajlovic back on the bench following a bone marrow transplant as he fights leukaemia. Despite taking a point in their Champions League game at Liverpool in midweek Carlo Ancelotti's Napoli are five points off the top four. "It's a very delicate time for us," said Ancelotti. Fernando Llorente put Napoli ahead four minutes before half-time, but Dane Andreas Skov Olsen volleyed in an equaliser just before the hour with Nicola Sansone scoring the winner 10 minutes from time. Llorente thought he had scored a 95th-minute leveller, but it was ruled offside by VAR. AC Milan, struggling in 11th, got their first win in a month, 1-0 at Parma.

Martinez fires Inter top of Serie A as Juventus slip up

Maurizio Sarri said being appointed Juventus' new head coach was the "crowning achievement" of his long career and he welcomed a return to Italy following a year in the English Premier League with Chelsea.

The Serie A champions appointed Sarri on a three-year contract earlier this week after agreeing on a compensation fee with Chelsea and the 60-year-old replaces <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/former-juventus-boss-massimiliano-allegri-wants-year-off-from-football-227088&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjj-JaKmfjiAhXLYo8KHdnNDqQQFjAEegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1fhESwylt8rWefgb140k8e">Massimiliano Allegri</a>, who stepped down at the end of the season.

"It's the crowning achievement of a long career. At Napoli I gave my all, then I decided to have a great experience in the Premier League. Juventus are the best Italian club right now and offered me a chance to return to Italy," Sarri told reporters.

"It's been a long journey for me made up of gradual steps. I'm happy to be at the most important team in Italy and this is a further step forward after the experience at Chelsea," he said.

Sarri coached Juventus' rivals Napoli between 2015 and 2018 and nearly broke their stranglehold on the league in his final season.

The Naples side ran Juventus close in the title race before falling four points short.

"For three years I would wake up and think about how to defeat Juventus because they were a winning team," Sarri added.

"I gave 110% but we still couldn't do it. It was an experience and I will now give everything for this club," he added.

Although Sarri won the Europa League with <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/photos/chelse-lift-the-europa-league-cup-as-hazard-scores-twice-as-parting-gift-222736&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjd9Mf0mPjiAhWBQY8KHYxKCd44ChAWMAV6BAgKEAI&amp;usg=AOvVaw0zfr8YfdvGAkgP5hwVCUyD">Chelsea </a>and led them to a third-place&nbsp;league finish, the fans did not take to the style of play he tried to implement, which worked wonders for him at Napoli.

While Juventus seemed to lack a recognisable playing style under the pragmatic Allegri in his final season, Sarri said he would build his team around Juventus forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala.

"You have to start with the talented players who can make the difference like Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala and Douglas Costa and build around them," Sarri said.

"When you have a player with the qualities of Dybala or Ronaldo, they can play in any role. What can change is only the interpretation of the role. Coaching Ronaldo will be yet another step forward, I'd like to help him break some new records," Sarri said.

Juventus director Fabio Paratici said hiring Sarri to replace Allegri was a straightforward decision.

"The style of play was not a driving factor in the change. Sarri was always the first choice. We tried to make him understand right away that we really wanted him," Paratici said.

"We chose Sarri because we feel he is the best manager for Juventus right now. As were (former manager Antonio) Conte and Allegri in their respective moments and they showed great quality," he added.

Maurizio Sarri said being appointed Juventus' new head coach was the "crowning achievement" of his long career and he welcomed a return to Italy following a year in the English Premier League with Chelsea.

Maurizio Sarri said being appointed Juventus' new head coach was the "crowning achievement" of his long career and he welcomed a return to Italy following a year in the English Premier League with Chelsea. The Serie A champions appointed Sarri on a three-year contract earlier this week after agreeing on a compensation fee with Chelsea and the 60-year-old replaces Massimiliano Allegri, who stepped down at the end of the season. "It's the crowning achievement of a long career. At Napoli I gave my all, then I decided to have a great experience in the Premier League. Juventus are the best Italian club right now and offered me a chance to return to Italy," Sarri told reporters. "It's been a long journey for me made up of gradual steps. I'm happy to be at the most important team in Italy and this is a further step forward after the experience at Chelsea," he said. Sarri coached Juventus' rivals Napoli between 2015 and 2018 and nearly broke their stranglehold on the league in his final season. The Naples side ran Juventus close in the title race before falling four points short. "For three years I would wake up and think about how to defeat Juventus because they were a winning team," Sarri added. "I gave 110% but we still couldn't do it. It was an experience and I will now give everything for this club," he added. Although Sarri won the Europa League with Chelsea and led them to a third-place league finish, the fans did not take to the style of play he tried to implement, which worked wonders for him at Napoli. While Juventus seemed to lack a recognisable playing style under the pragmatic Allegri in his final season, Sarri said he would build his team around Juventus forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala. "You have to start with the talented players who can make the difference like Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala and Douglas Costa and build around them," Sarri said. "When you have a player with the qualities of Dybala or Ronaldo, they can play in any role. What can change is only the interpretation of the role. Coaching Ronaldo will be yet another step forward, I'd like to help him break some new records," Sarri said. Juventus director Fabio Paratici said hiring Sarri to replace Allegri was a straightforward decision. "The style of play was not a driving factor in the change. Sarri was always the first choice. We tried to make him understand right away that we really wanted him," Paratici said. "We chose Sarri because we feel he is the best manager for Juventus right now. As were (former manager Antonio) Conte and Allegri in their respective moments and they showed great quality," he added.

Juventus appointment 'crowning achievement': Maurizio Sarri

SS Napoli defeated Juventus in a dramatic fashion as Kalidou Koulibaly scored with a header in the 89th minute and stunned Serie A leaders Juventus on Sunday at Allianz Arena, Munich.

When the match started, players from both the team had red stripes on their cheek. Not only Juventus and Napoli players, but this trend was actively promoted this weekend by all Serie A players.

When the players entered the field with red marks on their face then the fans and spectators were surprised but after some time, the commentators revealed that it is a part of a social media campaign to create awareness against violence to women.

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The players are sporting red marks on their face in support of a campaign against domestic violence 
 
?? <a href="https://twitter.com/SerieA_TIM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SerieA_TIM</a> <a href="https://t.co/aH6DrKQeWG">pic.twitter.com/aH6DrKQeWG</a>
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) <a href="https://twitter.com/en_sscnapoli/status/988131785300201472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The players were expressing solidarity with victims of domestic abuse.

We World Onlus, a humanitarian organisation teamed up with Serie A players to promote the campaign worldwide. So far, the campaign has been very successful in reaching worldwide audiences.

Also, the players should be applauded for taking part&nbspand encouraging the campaign even in the crucial matches.

Seria A teams took part in a social media campaign to create awareness against violence to women

SS Napoli defeated Juventus in a dramatic fashion as Kalidou Koulibaly scored with a header in the 89th minute and stunned Serie A leaders Juventus on Sunday at Allianz Arena, Munich. When the match started, players from both the team had red stripes on their cheek. Not only Juventus and Napoli players, but this trend was actively promoted this weekend by all Serie A players. When the players entered the field with red marks on their face then the fans and spectators were surprised but after some time, the commentators revealed that it is a part of a social media campaign to create awareness against violence to women. The players are sporting red marks on their face in support of a campaign against domestic violence ?? @SerieA_TIM pic.twitter.com/aH6DrKQeWG — Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) April 22, 2018 × The players were expressing solidarity with victims of domestic abuse. We World Onlus, a humanitarian organisation teamed up with Serie A players to promote the campaign worldwide. So far, the campaign has been very successful in reaching worldwide audiences. Also, the players should be applauded for taking part&nbspand encouraging the campaign even in the crucial matches.

Here is why Buffon, Dybala and other players were playing with red mark on their cheeks

Spanish giants, Real Madrid are set to clash with Serie A leaders Juventus in the first leg of UEFA Champions League round of 8 at 12:15 AM on Wednesday's early morning at Juventus Stadium, Italy.

The way Real Madrid have picked up the pace in LaLiga and reached the third position ahead of Valencia and giving a tough competition to Atletico Madrid is remarkable.

After defeating Paris-Saint Germain in the round of 16 of Champions League, Real won last three matches in LaLiga and currently is high on hopes to proceed further in the tournament.

The star players of Real Madrid are healthy and shining bright, as Madrid is not suffering from any suspension and injury. Only addition of defender Nacho is doubtful ahead of first leg clash.

On the other hand, Juventus is currently leading the Italian league, Series A with 78 points and have reached the quarter-finals after defeating Tottenham by an aggregate of 4-3.

Gonzalo Higuain might create trouble for the Real's defenders as he has already proved himself in the leg of 8, apart from that, Paulo Dybala is another major weapon for Juve.

For Juventus, Medhi Benatia and Miralem Pjanic are suffering suspensions and Federico Bernardeschi is out due to injury.

The probability of winning is 50-50 as both the teams are equally strong though, Juventus will miss few of its major players but the result will be depended on which team will make lesser mistakes and take full advantage.

Playing XI (TBC)

Real Madrid: Navas, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema.

Juventus: Buffon, De Sciglio, Barzagli, Chiellini, Alex Sandro, Khedira, Matuidi, Marchisio, Dybala, Cuadrado, Higuain.

Spanish giants, Real Madrid are set to clash with Serie A leaders Juventus in the first leg of UEFA Champions League round of 8

Spanish giants, Real Madrid are set to clash with Serie A leaders Juventus in the first leg of UEFA Champions League round of 8 at 12:15 AM on Wednesday's early morning at Juventus Stadium, Italy. The way Real Madrid have picked up the pace in LaLiga and reached the third position ahead of Valencia and giving a tough competition to Atletico Madrid is remarkable. After defeating Paris-Saint Germain in the round of 16 of Champions League, Real won last three matches in LaLiga and currently is high on hopes to proceed further in the tournament. The star players of Real Madrid are healthy and shining bright, as Madrid is not suffering from any suspension and injury. Only addition of defender Nacho is doubtful ahead of first leg clash. On the other hand, Juventus is currently leading the Italian league, Series A with 78 points and have reached the quarter-finals after defeating Tottenham by an aggregate of 4-3. Gonzalo Higuain might create trouble for the Real's defenders as he has already proved himself in the leg of 8, apart from that, Paulo Dybala is another major weapon for Juve. For Juventus, Medhi Benatia and Miralem Pjanic are suffering suspensions and Federico Bernardeschi is out due to injury. The probability of winning is 50-50 as both the teams are equally strong though, Juventus will miss few of its major players but the result will be depended on which team will make lesser mistakes and take full advantage. Playing XI (TBC) Real Madrid: Navas, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema. Juventus: Buffon, De Sciglio, Barzagli, Chiellini, Alex Sandro, Khedira, Matuidi, Marchisio, Dybala, Cuadrado, Higuain.

Champions League preview: Real Madrid take on Juventus in quarter-finals

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