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5 key matchups for Champions League clash between Juventus and Manchester United

By John Vaccaro

FROSINONE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 23: Juventus player Federico Bernardeschi celebrates 0-2 goal with Cristiano Ronaldo during the serie A match between Frosinone Calcio and Juventus at Stadio Benito Stirpe on September 23, 2018 in Frosinone, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)
FROSINONE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 23: Juventus player Federico Bernardeschi celebrates 0-2 goal with Cristiano Ronaldo during the serie A match between Frosinone Calcio and Juventus at Stadio Benito Stirpe on September 23, 2018 in Frosinone, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images) /
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Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus FC) celebrates after scoring during the Serie A football match between Juventus FC and Genoa CFC at Allianz Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Turin, Italy. Final results: 1-1. (Photo by Massimiliano Ferraro/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus FC) celebrates after scoring during the Serie A football match between Juventus FC and Genoa CFC at Allianz Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Turin, Italy. Final results: 1-1. (Photo by Massimiliano Ferraro/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Ashley Young

This is a matchup the Manchester United needs to win. We all know about the ridiculous talent possessed by Cristiano Ronaldo. We also know that United’s center backs are kind of terrible. That means that United will need somebody else to sow Ronaldo down if they’re gonna have  chance in this match. That man is Ashley Young (or Antonio Valencia if he starts).

United’s right backs are their only players who have the pace to try to keep up with Ronaldo, who will most likely be deployed on the left-wing. In what has been a disappointing year for United as a whole, Ashley Young has actually made a solid contribution in his appearances. He is averaging 1.8 key passes, 1.6 tackles, and 2.2 interceptions and has supplied an assist this season.

Cristiano Ronaldo had a slow start to the season, but has been absolutely on fire lately. In his last 7 appearances he has scored 5 goals and assisted 3 more. He has looked more and more comfortable in Juve’s attack as the season has progressed and has been a major threat in every match he has played. He will also have some extra motivation in this match as he returns to the home stadium of a former team.

Ronaldo does like to drift inside and when he does Young will need to stick with him. If Ronaldo wins this matchup or is allowed to take on one of United’s center backs one-on-one, then Juve will have plenty of chances to pepper David De Gea’s goal. If Young wins the battle then United will have a much better chance of slowing down Juve’s attack which is averaging over 2 goals per game.

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