In a critical UEFA Champions League finale, Juventus and Benfica clash at the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday, with both teams fighting for crucial playoff positions. Juventus enter the match with 12 points, already assured of a playoff berth but desperately seeking automatic qualification to the Round of 16. To achieve this, they must win and hope that at least ten teams between fifth and sixteenth place fail to secure maximum points.
Benfica arrive in a more precarious position, still potentially at risk of elimination after their heart-breaking 5-4 home loss to Barcelona. Only a victory can guarantee their continued European journey.
Juventus have been plagued by inconsistency, drawing 16 matches across all competitions this season. Their recent 2-1 defeat to Napoli marked their first Serie A loss, exposing underlying vulnerabilities in their gameplay. Thiago Motta’s team has shown resilience but has struggled to convert draws into wins.
On the other hand, Benfica have experienced dramatic swings in form, scoring 14 goals in seven Champions League matches while conceding 12. Their recent 3-1 domestic loss to Casa Pia further underscores their current fragility and the pressure they face as they seek to secure a place in the knockout stages.
For Juventus, Dusan Vlahovic stands out with four goals in six Champions League matches, though he has faced challenges in recent weeks. Kenan Yildiz has recently returned from injury and could play a pivotal role in the attack. Manuel Locatelli is expected to be crucial in midfield, providing creativity and stability.
Benfica will look to Vangelis Pavlidis, who scored a remarkable hat-trick in the match against Barcelona. Angel Di Maria, with his previous connection to Juventus, adds experience and flair to the Benfica lineup.
Team News
Juventus face a selection dilemma for Wednesday’s match as Randal Kolo Muani, who made his debut against Napoli, is ineligible for the Champions League league phase. Top scorer Dusan Vlahovic remains out of favour due to “technical issues” despite his impressive European form, leaving Thiago Motta likely to deploy Nico Gonzalez as a false nine. The return of Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao from injury provides additional attacking options for the hosts, with only Arkadiusz Milik, Juan Cabal, and Bremer remaining sidelined.
Benfica’s attack will be spearheaded by Vangelis Pavlidis, who recently became the fifth player in Champions League history to score a hat-trick in a losing effort. The visitors’ top scorer Angel Di Maria, with 14 goals in 29 games this season, returns to face his former club Juventus and reunite with ex-PSG teammate Motta. Benfica will be without the injured Tiago Gouveia and Renato Sanches, while Alvaro Carreras and Arthur Cabral are suspended for the match.
Expected Starting XIs
Juventus: Di Gregorio; McKennie, Kalulu, Gatti, Cambiaso; Luiz, Thuram; Yildiz, Koopmeiners, Mbangula; Gonzalez
Benfica: Di Gregorio; McKennie, Kalulu, Gatti, Cambiaso; Luiz, Thuram; Yildiz, Koopmeiners, Mbangula; Gonzalez
Match Prediction
A tense 2-1 victory for Juventus seems most likely. While Benfica averages two goals per game in the Champions League this season, Juventus’ defensive solidity could prove decisive. The match promises high drama with significant implications for both teams’ European aspirations.
Prediction: Juventus 2-1 Benfica
