Juventus vs Stuttgart

Allianz Stadium sets the stage for a first-ever UEFA Champions League meeting between high-flying Juventus and out-of-form Stuttgart.

Juventus left it late to overcome 10-man Lazio at the weekend, requiring Mario Gila’s 85th-minute own goal to claim a 1-0 win and even their competitive record on home turf this season (W3, D3). It was their seventh clean sheet in eight Serie A matches under new manager Thiago Motta, testifying to their unrivaled defensive prowess. Against this backdrop, ‘I Bianconeri’ have conceded in both Champions League outings this term but ran out victorious on each occasion, including a 3-2 win against Stuttgart’s fellow domestic rivals RB Leipzig with ten men last time out. That victory has extended Juventus’ winning streak against Bundesliga clubs to five matches and maintained a trend that’s seen seven of Juve’s last eight Champions League games see both teams on the scoresheet.

Visiting Stuttgart don’t look like a team capable of knocking Juventus down from a 14-game unbeaten home run after a 4-0 demolition at the hands of Bayern Munich last weekend stretched their winless streak to five matches (D4, L1). Moreover, Sebastian Hoeness’ underperforming lads have conceded nine goals across their last three road trips in all competitions (D1, L2), derailing their hopes of defying a dreadful overall European record against Serie A opposition (W1, D4, L6). As if that’s not concerning enough, last season’s Bundesliga runners-up have only won three of their 19 previous Champions League fixtures (D6, L10). That renders their bid to post their first European triumph this season far-fetched (D1, L1).