DBasia.news – Villarreal will host Juventus in the first leg of the 2021-2022 Champions League last 16. The tactical battle between Unai Emery and Massimiliano Allegri is one of the main attractions.
The duel later will indeed be the first meeting between Villarreal and Juventus in an official event. But that does not apply to Emery and Allegri.
The two coaches have clashed tactics in the 2015-2016 Champions League group stage. At that time Emery was in charge of Sevilla, and Allegri was in his first spell at Juventus.
Sevilla and Juventus are in Group D along with Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach. The competition in this group is fierce.
Interestingly, Sevilla and Juventus beat each other in two meetings. But the Bianconeri were more fortunate as they finished as runners up to Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Sevilla had to settle for being thrown into the Europa League as they were in third place. But Los Nervionenses made up for it by becoming champions in the second caste competition between Europe’s elite clubs.
Allegri’s Juventus were able to beat Sevilla 2-0 in the first meeting. Alvaro Morata and Simone Zaza contributed one goal in each half.
However, Sevilla was able to avenge the defeat when they hosted the second meeting. Emery’s team won 1-0 through Fernando Llorente’s only goal.
Even though Emery has changed clubs, the Villarreal match against Juventus promises to be an interesting spectacle. Both teams have an equal chance of advancing to the quarter-finals.