UEFA Champions League Preview: Real Madrid face resilient Juventus

Juventus may have won their fourth consecutive Serie A title on Saturday after a 1-0 victory over Sampdoria, but the Turin club have no time to celebrate as they face defending champions Real Madrid at the Stadio delle Alpi on Tuesday.

Real who are playing catch up with Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table, enter this tie as firm favourites, as Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. will bid to make their second successive appearance in the UEFA Champions League final with a win.

Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri was quick to admit that his team are the underdogs, but could cause a huge upset as the Turin outfit will hope to make their first Champions League final appearance in 12 years.

"It's not every day you get to play Real Madrid, so we have to keep our heads to reach the final. If we don't get there, it'll be expected", Allegri said.

Juventus overcame surprise package Monaco in the quarter-final, after a 1-0 aggregate win over the French side. Arturo Vidal's penalty in the first leg at the Juventus Stadium turned out to be the only goal of the tie, as Juventus' resilience in defence earned them their first semi-final berth in the Champions League in 12 years.

Real Madrid on the other hand had to fight really hard for their 1-0 aggregate victory over their city rivals Atletico Madrid. On loan Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez came to the rescue for Real Madrid, as his 88th minute strike for the Los Blancos secured their second successive semi-final berth.

The last time Real Madrid were knocked out of the Champions League semi-final by an Italian side, was against Juventus in 2003, when Juve beat Real 4-3 on aggregate. Real won the first leg by a scoreline of 2-1.

Story by Ghana/Joy Sports