Juventus vs. Borussia Dortmund: 2 Key Battles to Watch

theScore’s Gianluca Nesci examines two key matchups that will play a significant role in determining who emerges victorious from the first leg of the fascinating Round of 16 tie between Juventus and Borussia Dortmund.

Marco Reus vs. Stephan Lichtsteiner 

It's no coincidence that Dortmund's recent run of good form – three consecutive Bundesliga wins – coincides with Marco Reus slowly getting back to being the destroyer of worlds that has made him one of the most sought-after attackers on the planet in recent years.

The 25-year-old has three goals and an assist in his last three matches and if Juventus have any hopes of keeping that all-important clean sheet that manager Massimiliano Allegri so desperately desires, shutting down the German international will be paramount.

That task is likely to fall on the shoulders of Stephan Lichtsteiner, who is expected to get the start ahead of Martin Caceres on the right side of the Bianconeri's back-four. A fan favorite, the indefatigable Swiss is at his best when he'e getting forward and offering another attacking outlet down the flank – a pinpoint ball from Andrea Pirlo over the top to Lichtsteiner, who then looks for the cut back into the box, is a staple of Juventus's attacking scheme whenever the two men are on the pitch. (So much so that the club made a thoroughly enjoyable skit out of it.)

However, with the knowledge that Reus will be looking to capitalize on any space left behind should he be caught up field, it may behoove Lichtsteiner to dial back his attacking exuberance on Tuesday in an effort to help slow down Dortmund's most frightening attacking threat.

Paul Pogba vs. Dortmund midfield

Pirlo has, for good reason, been the focus of many a manager's game plan when a side heads to the Juventus Stadium in recent years. Cutting off the midfield maestro's space is of the utmost importance in an effort to derail Juventus's ability to craft scoring opportunities.

That still rings true, even if the bearded genius hasn't been quite as effective this season. Part of that may simply be age, but there's another reason why the reigning Italian champions aren't bereft of ideas should Pirlo be stymied: Paul Pogba.

The 21-year-old Frenchman is continuing his ascent to the top of the football world this season, quickly becoming the most important player on a squad that is loaded with well-established talent.

This entire section could be a series of Vines dedicated to Pogba's absurd skills, but we'll leave that for another day. 

Instead, we'll just note that, with Arturo Vidal expected to play higher up the pitch in a faux No. 10 role, Pogba will likely drift out more to the left of Juventus's narrow midfield diamond. As such, he will be the responsibility of both the right-back and, primarily, whomever Jurgen Klopp opts to put on the right side of his midfield pivot. One of Ilkay Gundogan or Nuri Sahin seem the likely candidates, which will set up a colossal battle that will go a long way in determining which manager has a smile on his face come the final whistle on Tuesday evening.