Until now, they have faced each other 19 times, and the Spaniards have won 9 of those matches and the Italians 8. Besides, both of them have scored 22 goals, and while Real Madrid has won the two finals of the Champions League against Juventus, the Old Lady has gone through in the last four double-match draw when they have faced Los Blancos.
Certainly, it will be another clash of these European giants, who have faced each other 11 times in this century. In fact, last year Real Madrid beat them in the final with an impressive 4-1, a match that it is remembered among the supporters as one of the best played by the team since Zidane became the coach.
Precisely, the Frenchman was on the other side when the Spaniards won the trophy in 1998.
Curiously, it has been Juventus who has been usually celebrating when they have played against Real Madrid in a double-match tie. Precisely, in 2003 and 2015, the Italians earned their pass to the final at the expense of Los Blancos. Especially painful it was the last time for the Spanish team when their former striker Morata scored the decisive goal of the draw at the Bernabeu to denied their chance to another cup.
A hard start of the season
Despite being finalists on the last edition and seeded in the draw of the Champions League first round, Real Madrid and Juventus couldn't grab the top spot in their respective groups.
Certainly, both of them didn´t enjoy a good start of the season, but in the last weeks, they have been raising their game level.
In doing so, the Italians have reached the top of the Serie A in spite of the extraordinary season played by Napoli. On the other hand, even though Real Madrid has become the best Spanish team in the second leg of La Liga, the overall excellency showed by Barcelona has made almost impossible to Los Blancos to still have any real chance to win the Spanish competition.
Nevertheless, since February, players such as Ramos, Marcelo, Modric, or Kross have been improving considerably and thus, this team looks very similar to the one that won against Bayern Munich, Atletico, and Juventus in the last rounds of the last year edition.
Tottenham and PSG were beaten
Although the French team was considered as the favorite in the draw against Real Madrid, and besides they were showing at the Bernabeu their credentials to defeat the European Champion when Rabiot scored the first goal of the night, eventually Los Blancos won that match.
Still, the best exhibition played by Zidane's team was done in Paris, when despite the absences of Modric, Kross, and Bale, Los Blancos created many chances, were pressing up during the whole game and the energy and dynamism of Casemiro, Kovacic, Lucas Vázquez and Asensio gave them the control over their rivals. And above all of them, it has appeared once again Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 21 times in 2018, and during 8 matches consecutively.
On the other hand, Dybala and Higuain, who are the main reason that Tottenham Hotspur is out of the tournament, are also reaching their best level. Unfortunately for them, Pjanic won't be on the first leg due to suspension. But at least, Khedira seems fit to play after being substituted for an injury during the match between Germany and Spain. And although Bonucci and Alves left the team in summer, Benatia has been doing a perfect job leading the defensive along Chiellini.
