Where the Beautiful Game Comes Alive
Two European heavyweights will convene at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, as Real Madrid play host to Juventus in the Champions League.
Of the clubs' 21 prior meetings in Europe's elite competition, twice they have clashed in finals, with Madrid coming out on top in both 1998 and 2017.
European Royalty: This fixture has produced two Champions League finals, with Real Madrid emerging victorious in both the 1998 and 2017 showpieces, cementing their status as Juventus' European nemesis.
A Europa League runner-up with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024, Xabi Alonso is intent on claiming UEFA's top prize this season, and Real Madrid's ambitious head coach has started by winning his first two Champions League matches.
Following a nervy 2-1 victory over Marseille in September, Los Blancos beat Kairat Almaty 5-0 on matchday two, running away with the points thanks to four second-half strikes.
Kylian Mbappe helped himself to a hat-trick as the 15-time European Cup winners comfortably completed their mission in Kazakhstan, putting them on track for a top-eight finish in the league phase.
Having won 12 of their last 13 home games at the group or league stage - only losing to AC Milan two years ago - Madrid will be back at the Bernabeu for this week's fixture.
They warmed up for hosting Juventus with a 1-0 win over local rivals Getafe last weekend, when Mbappe's late goal separated the sides at El Coliseum.
Of course, the Portuguese superstar later swapped clubs; but since his subsequent departure, Juventus have been a faded force - both at home and abroad.
Having made very little impact on the Champions League in recent years, the Italian giants finished 20th in last season's league phase, before losing to PSV Eindhoven in the knockout playoffs.
Their main aim this time is to sneak into the top eight and go straight through to the last 16; however, Igor Tudor's side are already under pressure to produce results following two chaotic draws.
On matchday one, the Bianconeri shipped two goals in the closing stages and seemed bound for defeat against Borussia Dortmund, but they somehow scored twice deep into stoppage time and salvaged a 4-4 home draw.
Last time out, they were given a taste of their own medicine when ex-Juve loanee Renato Veiga netted a last-gasp leveller to make it 2-2 at El Madrigal.
That Villarreal result was one of five consecutive stalemates - the club's longest such run for nearly two decades - and Juventus have also drawn five of their last seven league or group fixtures in the Champions League.
Champions League: W W
All Competitions: W W L W W W
Top of La Liga
12/13 home UCL wins
Champions League: D D
All Competitions: D D D D D L
5 consecutive draws
1 win in 11 away UCL
Before 'welcoming' Barcelona to Madrid for El Clasico on Sunday evening, they must play Juve for the first time since an epic quarter-final tie between the pair back in 2018. On that occasion, Real Madrid won the first leg 3-0 in Turin - with Cristiano Ronaldo bagging a brace - but then needed a late Ronaldo penalty on home turf to win 4-3 on aggregate.
Bernabeu Fortress: Real Madrid have won 12 of their last 13 home games at the Champions League group or league stage, with their only defeat coming against AC Milan two years ago, making the Bernabeu a daunting venue for any visiting team.
Real Madrid will be missing several defenders on Wednesday, as Antonio Rudiger and Dani Carvajal are set to miss out; ex-Juve centre-back Dean Huijsen is a doubt, while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ferland Mendy are back in training but may be saved for El Clasico.
Furthermore, David Alaba must be assessed after he was taken off midway through Sunday's win at Getafe. Finally making his first La Liga start of the season, the Austria international was replaced by Raul Asencio due to a calf issue.
Long-serving midfielder Dani Ceballos was absent entirely, but he could be ready to play some part in midweek.
While Madrid's main man is Kylian Mbappe - the Champions League's leading scorer with five goals so far - Juventus have yet to settle on a focal point up front.
Tudor is expected to pick Francisco Conceicao and Kenan Yildiz in support of a lone striker; Dusan Vlahovic and Jonathan David lead Lois Openda in that fight for selection. Incidentally, David scored a shock winner for Lille against Los Blancos last season.
The visitors will again be without defensive rock Bremer, plus left-back Juan Cabal, but Fabio Miretti has now resumed training and Edon Zhegrova should be fit enough to make the bench.
It remains to be seen if the Bianconeri stick with a back four at the Bernabeu, after Tudor surprisingly ditched his preferred 3-4-2-1 setup on Sunday.
Competition: Champions League
Date: Wednesday, October 2025
Time: Evening Kickoff
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Stakes: European heavyweights in classic clash
None of Real Madrid's last 61 group or league-phase matches have finished goalless - a run that dates back a whole decade - and that streak should continue.
Juventus will arrive at one of football's toughest arenas having gone six games without a win, while leaking plenty of goals - it all points to a home win.
| Market | Prediction | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Match Result | Real Madrid Win | Home form and superior quality |
| Both Teams to Score | No | Juventus' scoring struggles |
| Over/Under 2.5 Goals | Under | Madrid's controlled approach |
Key Betting Insight: Real Madrid's formidable home record combined with Juventus' recent struggles and inability to win away in Europe makes a comfortable home victory the most likely outcome. With Juventus drawing five straight games before their recent loss, Madrid to win to nil represents excellent value.
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The Champions League's leading scorer with five goals already this season, the French superstar's pace and finishing ability make him the main threat to any defense, especially with his recent hat-trick against Kairat.
The Canadian striker has previous experience scoring against Real Madrid from his time at Lille and will be looking to replicate that success to help Juventus overcome their poor away form in Europe.
This classic European fixture pits Xabi Alonso's organized, possession-based Madrid against Igor Tudor's Juventus, who are searching for consistency. The midfield battle between experienced campaigners will be crucial, with Madrid's technical quality likely to dominate Juventus' industrious but less creative engine room.
Xabi Alonso's European Mission: After reaching the Europa League final with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024, the Real Madrid manager is determined to claim UEFA's top prize this season and has started perfectly with two wins from two in the Champions League.
"Football is not just a game. It's a feeling, a rhythm, a heartbeat shared by billions."
"In football, the impossible is just another challenge."
"One team, one dream. Every match is a story waiting to be written."
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