Champions League Last 16 Draw - Bayern get Tested Early with Juventus

YES! YES! YES! and YES!

This is the draw that I wanted. I didn't think I'd get it, as I didn't see this one coming. Just like in the previous years, I'd assumed Bayern would have beatable teams until the semis where they would need to raise their game.

And on the two previous occasions they have come up short when facing a true stern test. But it's starting early now baby. No time to build up, they have to now beat last year's finalists if they want to play in the quarter-final.

Juve, this is your punishment for not finishing first. It could have been them going up against Kyiv and City
having to face Bayern, which would be a straight forward loss.

They had it right in the bag, but decided to allow Llorente of all people to pretty much set up this heavyweight bout against Bayern. Not great news for Allergi, but for us football fans, this is a nice early Christmas present. It feels so good to not have to wait till the semis and April to get a match like this, because let's be honest, this is not a trust last 16 match. The whole point of finishing top of your group is so that you face an "easier" team. That's your reward. But Juventus just messed up, or perhaps, this was their grand plan all along to ruin Christmas for Pep by making him think of black and white stripes whilst opening up presents.








Many people out there don't see this as that tough a test for the Bayern machine. The consensus is the only teams that can topple Pep's Bayern machine are Madrid and Barcelona. Those saying those things may be true, but they're also showing a level of disrespect to Juventus.

On the one hand, Bayern are one of the best clubs in the world, and they have proven numerous times that they know how to deconstruct and rearrange teams at will. So yes, perhaps only the two Spanish kings may be the only pieces of kryptonite to Bayern.

But maybe nobody realizes that Juventus are the Italian champions, were tactically amazing last season and on their route to the final they beat the same Real Madrid who took down Bayern years ago. And a little point to mention, they have a new kid on the block from Argentina who looks and plays like a million smacks.

It would almost be unthinkable for Bayern to be knocked out this early. Especially when we all know that this is Pep's last season. There are already people working behind the scenes to ensure the right amount of money is wired so that Bayern do not lose under any circumstance.

If this was Man City, then I wouldn't even bother giving the match-up any coverage and no bribery will be needed. Bayern have played City before and know how to beat them. When they have lost, it's because they were not fully focused and the match meant more to City than Bayern. But Juventus, this is a team that this bunch of Bayern players nor Pep has faced before. It's a whole new threat and it's the best that Italy has to offer.

For that reason, that's why this is the tie of the round. Some clown tried to claim Arsenal and Barcelona was the match of these knockouts, and by saying such nonsense he showed to kids why drug use isn't good when wanting to use your brain.

Bayern and Juventus is a great Champions League match up and I can't wait to see what Allegri has planned tactically. Same with Pep, he knows deep down this was one team along with PSG that he wanted to avoid playing so early. So it will be interesting to see how tries to shut down the threat of Dybala and breaks down one of the most disciplined defenses you can find in the world right now.

I can't wait...



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