Staff Picks: Juventus vs. Real Madrid

theScore’s footy staff peer into their crystal balls and make predictions for the first leg of each semifinal tie. Looking towards Tuesday’s match, Gordon Brunt, Carlo Campo and Gianluca Nesci tell you what they think will happen on the pitch, and why.

Juventus vs. Real Madrid (Juventus Stadium, Italy)

Gordon Brunt: A high-scoring affair would be a nice treat but it’s probably wishful thinking. 

The performances leading up to the encounter indicate both sides are in for a battle, with either Real Madrid or Juventus perfectly capable of taking advantage of mistakes with devastating results. Real Madrid will likely be the side prepared to show an initial willingness to reveal their attacking intentions, while Juve assess and scan for weakness in the Madrid formation before taking any risks they might regret against such an offensively lethal opponent. 

The loss of Paul Pogba is obviously a major blow, but Juventus have the experience and talent capable of putting on a display similar to Atletico Madrid when the Spanish club kept Real off the score sheet. Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s attacking prowess should be able to overcome the absence of Karim Benzema and rely on their deep talent pool to put the Juve back line under pressure.

Score: Juventus 1, Real Madrid 1

Carlo Campo: Juventus are taking on a Real Madrid side in which nine of their 11 players essentially provide some kind of an attacking threat, whether it be on the counterattack, from set pieces, etc. 

Luckily, Massimiliano Allegri's squad feature one of the most efficient backlines in European football, and with the first leg taking place at Juventus Stadium, there's a chance - albeit not a large one - that they can go into the second leg with a positive result.

In order to accomplish that feat, however, a flawless performance will be needed. Gianluigi Buffon can't afford a single error between the posts, Giorgio Chiellini will have to command Juventus' backline with authority, the team's midfield will have to break up the inevitable counterattacks, and one of Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal will have to find the back of the net at some point.

Score: Juventus 1, Real Madrid 0

Gianluca Nesci: This is where Juventus' wonderful run comes to an end. Defeating Borussia Dortmund and Monaco to get here was nice, but their semi-final opponent is, simply, a different kind of beast that they have not encountered yet this season.

The Italian side has re-established itself in the upper echelon of European powers this season under Max Allegri - the much-maligned manager who was supposed to be out of his depth at the beginning of the campaign - but this step will prove too steep for the newly-minted Serie A champions.

Talented as the Bianconeri are - even without their best player in Paul Pogba - there is a clear gap when examining the two sides, with Real Madrid emerging superior in a number of areas. Expect that superiority the shine through on Tuesday at the Juventus Stadium, with Gareth Bale's expected return to the starting lineup helping to push the Spanish club into a commanding lead heading into the second leg next week.

Score: Real Madrid 2, Juventus 1