(Football news) Villarreal will host Juventus in the first leg of the UCL Round of 16. Villarreal return to the knockouts stage for the first time since 2009 and will have a task in hand going head to head against Juventus. Juventus haven't gone past the Round of 16 since the past two years which is something Massimiliano Allegri would like to change.
Juventus have drawn their last two Serie A games as they sit 4th on the Serie A table. Villarreal on the other hand came into the game on the back of holding Real Madrid to a goalless draw and a thumping 4-1 victory away at Granada. Unai Emery's men are having a good season 6th in the La Liga this season. Juventus aren't the Juventus of a few years ago as they have struggled in the Serie A this season which makes the result of the tie difficult to predict.
Dusan Vlahovic will be leading the line for Juventus as it will also be his Champions League debut. The Bianconeri will be without Federico Chiesa, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Daniele Rugani while Paulo Dybala and Luca Pellegrini are doubtful. Gerard Moreno, Francis Coquelin and Ruben Pena are out of contention for Villarreal while Etienne Capoue is a doubt.
The game will definitely see Villarreal in their usual defending deep with a low block. Right winger Samuel Chukwueze will be the key for Unai Emery on the counter attack. Juventus will have to be patient and maintain their shape as the Spanish side will be relentless with their defending. Alvaro Morata's ability in the air will be the biggest asset to Juventus as Juan Caudrado on the right and Alex Sandro on the left have the ability to whip good crosses in.
Villarreal Possible starting XI: Sergio Asenjo; Juan Foyth, Raul Albiol, Pau Torres, Alfanso Pedraza; Manu Trigueros, Etienne Capoue, Dani Parejo; Samuel Chukwueze, Alberto Moreno, Arnaut Danjuma
Juventus possible starting lineup: Wojciech Szczęsny; Juan Cuadrado, Danilo, Matthijs De Ligt, Alex Sandro; Manuel Locatelli, Denis Zakaria, Weston McKennie; Federico Bernardeschi, Alvaro Morata; Dusan Vlahovic
Also read: UCL: Defending champions Chelsea host French champions Lille in the Round of 16
