My non-joking prediction for the Dortmund game was 2-1, and I was not surprised to see it happen.
What I expected:
- Dortmund is full of mediocre players who abuse their pressing to make something happen. Juventus' motivation was at an all time high, in their home stadium, they were bound to get goals, more than 1 for sure.
- If it wasn't for the mental block I would have guessed Juventus would have scored 3, but it's clear this team likes to make life difficult for itself, and it tends to choke in moments like this, so I thought it was impossible for them to get 3 goals.
- Dortmund's pressing and speed on the break, Juventus' weakness, was a definite sign they were going to get at least 1 goal.
What I did not expect:
- Dortmund taking charge, and Juventus scoring on the counter. This team has been awful without the ball, but Morata and Tevez counterattacked like the old style Italian 9s and 10s.
- Juventus bypassing BvB's midfield press through Bonucci's long accurate long ball passes to strikers. Don't know if this was intentional by Allegri, but it was a deadly tool.
My prediction for the other game is 1-1
- Juventus managed to play defensively at home, while BvB took charge. Very very unexpected. This is a MASSIVE disadvantage to Borussia, and the main reason why they have failed in Bundesliga. They are a counterattacking team and nothing else. They don't have the players to take charge. And they will be FORCED to now, since they're down AND at home. Their motivation in Germany will get them a goal I suspect, but I think it'll be a set piece. If there is no space behind their opponents' defence they are sterile. Juventus I think will get another on the counter with Tevez + Morata.