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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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Paul Pogba celebrates against Manchester City
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 07: Paul Pogba of Manchester United celebrates victory after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on April 7, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Paul Pogba vs Blaise Matuidi

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In my opinion this is the most important matchup on Tuesday. In spite of all of Paul Pogba’s issues with Jose Mourinho and his struggles at Manchester United, he is still one of the most talented players in this match.

He will need to be at his absolute best for United to win this match. The man standing in his way will be his French teammate Blaise Matuidi. Matuidi is a stone wall in the midfield, constantly making the lives of opposing midfielders difficult.

Manchester United fans may be disappointed by Pogba’s performances since joining the club for a record fee, but he remains one of the world’s most skilled midfielders. We saw it on display for France as he helped lead the team to a World Cup trophy.

He has never looked like that same player at Manchester United as he did with France this summer or during his time at Juventus, but his 6 goals and 10 assists last season in the Premier League and 4 goals and 3 assists this season show that he still has plenty of quality. He still possesses the ability to unleash a game-changing shot from outside the box (even though he might try it too often). At any point, Pogba could put his new team ahead of his old team.

Blaise Matuidi will be tasked with slowing Pogba down. As Pogba’s teammate for France, Matuidi will be very familiar with Pogba’s style of play and his ability. Matuidi has been a great box-to-box midfielder for a long time and now has the freedom to occupy that role again with Juve switching to the 4-3-3.

He has averaged over 2 tackles and an interception this season, helping Juventus dominate possession against most of their opponents throughout the year. He has also scored twice, but in this match he likely won’t be making too many deep runs as Juve has him blanket Pogba.

If Pogba can win this matchup and get himself into space then he could make his former team pay for selling him with a beautiful assist or momentum shifting goal. If Matuidi wins the battle then it will be very difficult for United to reliably build an attack. If Pogba is stifled then United will really struggle to be the first team to score against Juventus in the Champions League this season.

Next. Three centre backs Manchester United should look at in January. dark

This matchup will likely be the one that decides the outcome in this clash of football titans.

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