Juventus-Real Madrid, a reunion of European heavyweights

Juventus and Real Madrid kick off the semi-finals of the 2015 UEFA Champions League tonight in Turin. The blancoshead to Italy looking to book their place in a 14th European Cup final but standing in their way is 'la vecchia signora’(the old lady), a club with a great European tradition and boasting two European Cup triumphs. This is a reunion of old foes.

Real Madrid, who have won Europe’s biggest prize a record 10 times, will meet a side who they have met many times before in this competition, on 16 occasions to be precise.

The two European heavyweights met in last season’s group stage, drawing 2-2 at the Juventus stadium, with Madrid winning 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu. Madrid finished top of the group on their way to winning the final in Lisbon, but Juventus endured a shock exit, coming third in the group, behind Galatasaray.

Memories of Amsterdam

If there is one game against Juventus that Madrid fans remember the most, it has to be the Champions League final on 20 May 1998, when a Merengues side coached by Jupp Heynckes beat the Italians 1-0 at the Amsterdam Arena thanks to a goal by Predaj Mijatović, whose strike won Madrid their first European Cup in 32 years.

If Madrid can get past Juve, they will reach the final for a 14th time. Madrid have reached the final a total of 13 times, winning 10 and losing three. The Italians, meanwhile, have won just two of the seven finals they have played in.

A strong away record

Carlo Ancelotti has an excellent track record in the competition. As well as winning the Champions League a joint-record three times, he has won eightout of 11 European away games with Real Madrid. His only away defeat with los blancos occurred in last season’s competition, when Madrid lost 2-0 in a quarter final second leg game at Borussia Dortmund. And in this season’s competition, Madrid have gone 444 minutes without conceding a goalaway from home, last letting in an away goal in the group stages against PFC Ludogorets Razgrad.

The coach could also surpass a personal milestone. If his side win this season’s competition, the Italian will become the first coach to lift the European Cup four times, surpassing the late Liverpool FC coach Bob Paisely.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo is the joint second-top scorer in the competition alongside FC Barcelona’s Leo Messi, and is just one goal behind FC Shakhtar Donetsk striker Luiz Adriano, so you can be rest assured the Portuguese will be keen to find the net.