Valencia and Juventus kick off their Champions League Group H campaign on Wednesday night at the Mestalla. The two powerhouses of European football are joined by Manchester United and Young Boys in Group H. It will be a difficult road for each club to the round of 16.
Manager Marcelino has seen his Valencia team get off to a dreadful start this season. After finishing fourth in La Liga last term and being one of the competition’s most exciting teams, Valencia have not won a match this season. Los Che have collected just three points from 12. Goals have been difficult to come by as Valencia have scored just three. Twice this season the club has been held to a clean sheet. Over the weekend, Valencia played out a bore nil-nil draw with Real Betis. Now, after four matches, Valencia sit 17th, and goal difference is the only thing keeping them from the relegation zone. Poor league form and a relegation scrap could doom their Champions League campaign before it even begins.
Juventus are once again setting the pace in Serie A. The Bianconeri won for a fourth consecutive game at the weekend with a 2-1 win over Sassuolo. The scoreline flattered Sassuolo as Juventus had the fixture wrapped up after 65 minutes thanks to two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo. They were the Portuguese star’s first goals of the season.
Ronaldo’s addition in the offseason could finally see Juventus claim the elusive European Cup. The forward took Real Madrid to four out of the last five Champions League Finals. In each, Real Madrid won despite not necessarily being the better team. Juventus are loaded with star players, and Ronaldo has the opportunity to lift another Champions League trophy.
Wednesday night’s match may see Juventus without defender Andrea Barzagli. He missed Juventus’ game with Sassuolo due to a calf injury. Juventus have plenty of cover with Barzagli out. Medhi Benatia, Daniele Rugani, or Leonardo Bonucci could fill-in for the injured centre-back.
Valencia have several injuries to worry about going into Wednesday’s game. Jeison Murillo, Geoffrey Kondogbia, and Ezequiel Garay are recovering from injuries. The club will make late fitness decisions on the trio, but it is likely all three will miss the game. Murillo suffered a hamstring injury in training on Sunday. Kondogbia re-injured his ankle against Real Betis and will undergo a scan on Monday. Garay has missed the last three weeks with a knee injury. Missing the trio of defensive players is a huge blow to Valencia.
Without three key players in the team and struggling to score goals, Valencia will fall to Juventus on Wednesday night. Juventus will ease past their Spanish rivals on matchday 1 and Ronaldo will play a big part in the win.