Juventus vs Benfica Preview

Juventus’ hopes of a European trophy this term hang by a thread after their first-leg of this Europ League semi-final against Portugese side Benfica. Juve trail by a goal going into this game, but more importantly the soon to be crowned Italian champions failed to acquire the always critical away goal. This leaves them extremely vulnerable going into this second-leg, as if the Portguese side can score a single goal, Juve will require three to go through.

The home side have shown themselves to be comfortably the best team in Italy in recent season, and are all but certain of clinching their third consecutive Serie A title. But their performances in Europe have been less convincing, and the reason that the Turin-based club are even in this stage of the Europa League is because of failings in the Champions League. While they have had another overwhelmingly successful domestic season, being eliminated at the group stage by galatasaray will be considerably less than was hoped for.

Nevertheless, given the fact that Serie A is currently the poor relation to the likes of La Liga, the Premier League and the Bundesliga, any form of European trophy would be considered a coup for Juve.

One thing that will count in favour of Juventus going into this semi-final is their defensive record. Their Serie A title has been gained to a significant degree on the basis of their outstanding defensive record. Having conceded only 25 goals all season, their hopes of a clean sheet here must be pretty decent. Additionally, the home record of Juventus in Serie A would give any club hope of victory in Europe, as Juve have won all 17 games that they’ve played at the Stadio dell Alpi in Serie A. Only Real Madrid and, surprisingly, galatasaray have held Juve to a draw at the Stadio delle Alpi all season, so Benfica will certainly have their work cut out to gain a draw from this fixture.

Juventus have a lot of very experienced, big game players and might fancy their chances of overwhelming Benfica on their home turf. European games are often won and lost in midfield and the high-class central midfield trio for Juventus of Paul Pogba, Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo could be critical for them. They really need to get a handle on the game early and control it for the home side, if Juve are to come out on top.

Benfica are top scorers in the Portugese league, though, and I feel Juve have missed a trick by not getting an away goal in Portugal. They now have to play ninety minutes on a knife edge against a team who reached the final of the Europa League last season, and I feel that this pressure may ultimately be too much for them. Thus, I’m backing Juve to come out on top narrowly on the evening, but go out on away goals, despite their exalted status in the European game. Juve know a little about disappointment in Europe, having lost three consecutive Champions League finals in the 1990s.

Safe Bet – Juventus to win
Value Bet – Juventus 2 – 1 Benfica

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01/05/2014     © Frixo 2026