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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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19th September 2018, Mestalla, Valencia, Spain; UEFA Champions League football, Valencia versus Juventus; Miralem Pjanic of Juventus Turin scores for 1-0 from a penalty kick in the 43rd minute (photo by Pedro Salado/Action Plus via Getty Images)
19th September 2018, Mestalla, Valencia, Spain; UEFA Champions League football, Valencia versus Juventus; Miralem Pjanic of Juventus Turin scores for 1-0 from a penalty kick in the 43rd minute (photo by Pedro Salado/Action Plus via Getty Images) /

Nemanja Matic vs Miralem Pjanic

This matchup will be another key one in determining the success of Juve’s attack. Nemanja Matic is United’s best defensive midfielder and Miralem Pjanic is Juve’s playmaker in the midfield. United will rely on Matic to take Pjanic out of this match to cut off Juve’s supply to their talented attackers.

It won’t be an easy task for Matic as Pjanic seemed to have finally returned to top form against Genoa over the weekend. He supplied a gaudy 9 key passes in that match, which was easily his high for the season. It seemed like every ball he played in the match put Juve into a threatening position. He has consistently finished near the top of the league in assists, averaging nearly 10 per year over the last 4 season. He has the talent and vision to turn a Juve forward loose at any time.

If anybody can slow Pjanic down for United, it’s Matic. Matic hasn’t been at his best this season, but he has shown in the past that he can be a disruptive force in the midfield. His tackle and interception numbers are both down this season, but over the last two years he averaged over 1.5 tackles and interceptions. If he can put in a performance reminiscent of those two seasons then he could neutralize the threat of Pjanic’s play-making.

If Pjanic wins the matchup then he’ll be able to create plenty of chances for Juve’s talented forwards to score. A Matic win would disrupt Juve’s ability to build an attack out of the midfield and take away a key playmaker for Juventus.

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