The Five Best Matchups of UEFA Champions/Europa League Knockout Round
Aug 6, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Internazionale defender Andrea Ranocchia (23) reacts after scoring a goal against Juventus during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
5.) Juventus-Borussia Dortmund (Champions League)
Juventus has been dynamic in Serie A this year; spearheaded by Argentine striker Carlos Teves (12 goals in Serie A/UCL play). Borussia Dortmund have been….anything but. They’re currently 16th in Bundesliga, and one could say that they have a lot invested in their good run of form during this year’s Champions League campaign. As it stands now, they’re definitely not making Champions League next year, and even Europa looks like a stretch at this point. Hell, they’re just trying to avoid relegation at this point.
Juventus vs Dortmund represents a tale of two fortunes, with one team flying high while the other one is using this tournament as a much-needed escape from a horrendous league campaign. Does anyone find it sad that they were in the Champions League Final two years ago? Either way, Dortmund did edge out Arsenal to claim their group’s top spot on goal difference, so file them under “wild card” for this round. Or “loose cannon”. Whatever word you choose to describe a team that is impossible to predict applies here.