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Champions League Preview: Bordeaux - Juventus

The Italian giants travel to France in search of a victory that would take them through to the last 16 stage.....

Nov 24, 2009 1:30:00 PM

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Fabio Grosso - Juventus (Getty Images)

Teams

Kick-Off: Wednesday, November 25. 20:45 CET
Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux.

Done And Dusted

At the start of the Champions League group stage this season, few would have been eager to give Bordeaux too much of a chance of progressing through to the knockout stage. The French champions were, after all, in a group that comprised of former European champions and heavyweights Bayern Munich and Juventus, and a Europa League spot was the maximum that many thought les Girondins would garner.

But Bordeaux shocked all their detractors and qualified for the last 16 stage on Matchday 4, when they sensationally defeated Bayern 2-0 in Munich to take their points tally in Group A to ten. Laurent Blanc's side have yet to suffer a defeat in Europe this season and they will be looking to maintain that proud record when they entertain Juventus, who have yet to claim their place in the knockout stages of Europe's top-tier club competition.

Bordeaux's strength has been their defence, as they have allowed just two goals so far in the group stage. But at the same time they have not scored too many goals - only six. They are also doing well in Ligue 1, in which they are second, just a point behind leaders Auxerre. Although his side have qualified, Blanc would like them to finish top of the group in order to avoid some big names in the first knockout stage of the competition.

Win Is All You Need

Juventus started their European campaign sluggishly. First they drew with Bordeaux at home and were then unable to break Bayern Munich away. But since Matchday 2, Ciro Ferrara's side have picked up pace, beating Maccabi Haifa 1-0 both home and away.

The former Italian and European champions have the best defensive record in the Champions League so far this season, having conceded just one goal. Fortunately for them, they followed up their two early draws with a double-header against minnows Haifa. Wins over the Israeli side have put them in a good position to go through.

A victory in Bordeaux would assure Juventus of qualification to the last 16 stage. Even a loss would be enough, provided Bayern suffer a similar fate at home to Haifa, who have to win to maintain their slim hopes of Europa League qualification.

FORM GUIDE

Bordeaux

November 21 v Valenciennes (H) - LOST 1-0 (French Ligue 1)

November 8 v Lille (A) - LOST 2-0 (French Ligue 1)

November 3 v Bayern Munich (A) - WON 2-0 (Champions League)

October 31 v AS Monaco (H) - WON 1-0 (French Ligue 1)

October 24 v Le Mans (H) - WON 3-0 (French Ligue 1)

Juventus

November 22 v Udinese (H) - WON 1-0 (Serie A)

November 7 v Atalanta (A) - WON 5-2 (Serie A)

November 3 v Maccabi Haifa (A) - WON 1-0 (Champions League)

October 31 v Napoli (H) - LOST 3-2 (Serie A)

October 28 v Sampdoria (H) - WON 5-1 (Serie A)

TEAM NEWS

Bordeaux

The reigning French champions have a number of injury concerns for their clash against Juventus on Wednesday. Playmaker Yoann Gourcuff is out for certain with a groin injury while Henrique misses out because knee problems. Twenty-five-year-old striker Marouane Chamakh also looks doubtful for the match after sustaining an abdomen injury at the weekend, while Jussie (hip) and Franck Jurietti (gastroenteritis) could miss the clash.

Probable Line-up (4-4-2): Carrasso, Chalme, Ciani, Planus, Tremoulinas; Plasil, Fernando, A. Diarra, Wendel; Gouffran, Cavenaghi

Juventus

Juventus welcome back Alessandro Del Piero and Mohamed Sissoko from injury. The duo featured in the Old Lady's 1-0 victory over Udinese at the weekend and could start against Bordeaux on Wednesday. Claudio Marchisio has been called up to the squad after recovering from a meniscus injury. Hasan Salihamidzic, Jonathan Zebina, David Trezeguet and Vincenzo Iaquinta, though, will be absent for the match, implying that coach Ciro Ferrara could start with three upfront.

Probable Line-up (4-3-3): Buffon; Caceres, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Camoranesi, Sissoko, Melo; Diego, Del Piero, Amauri

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Alou Diarra (Bordeaux)

The French international has featured in all of Bordeaux's Champions League games so far and has a Goal.com average rating of just over seven in Europe. Diarra's defensive midfield quality has been a key component of the French side's success, and the 28-year-old will again have to be at the top of his game on Wednesday for his side to garner yet another win in the Champions League.

Alessandro del Piero (Juventus)

The talismanic Juventus striker made his long awaited return from injury on Sunday against Udinese as he came on as a second half substitute. Del Piero had been suffering from a thigh problem but now seems to be back to full fitness and could feature in the starting line-up against Bordeaux, partnering Diego in the attacking midfield department.

PREDICTION

Bordeaux have lost both their games in the league since their defeat of Bayern Munich on Matchday 4, including a shock 1-0 reverse to Valenciennes at home on Saturday. They are also missing key players, which could tilt the balance towards Juventus. Juve won't lose on Wednesday, and a draw seems the most likely outcome.

Bordeaux 1-1 Juventus

Subhankar Mondal, Goal.com

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