Juventus vs. Real Madrid: 3 Key Battles to Watch

theScore’s Gordon Brunt, Carlo Campo and Gianluca Nesci examine the key matchups that will play a significant role in determining who emerges victorious from the first leg of the semi-final clash between Juventus and Real Madrid.

Carlos Tevez vs. Pepe

Gord Brunt: The need for Carlos Tevez to regain his Champions League scoring touch is a critical requirement that will likely determine Juventus's fate against Real Madrid.

The Argentine was held off the score sheet during the two leg triumph over AS Monaco, with Juventus requiring just one goal against their low-scoring opponents. There's no chance that's going to cut-it this time around against a vastly different foe.

Tevez will be relied upon to apply his ferocious style against a back line known for its physical nature.

One of his biggest obstacles will be penetrating the Real Madrid back line, with Pepe likely being assigned to contain the Juventus star. The Portuguese centre back, however, won't have his usual partner in defence as Sergio Ramos is expected to play in an increased attacking role.

Nevertheless, Pepe will continue to cause headaches for the Juventus attack if the Italian club solely relies on Tevez for goals. With Tevez obviously being a threat the Real Madrid defence will target, the newly crowned Serie A champions will need massive contributions from their cast of talented players if they have any hope of advancing to their first final since 2003.

Sergio Ramos vs. Roberto Pereyra

Carlo Campo: Sergio Ramos is one of the top centre-backs in European football, but he's quickly proving that he can flourish anywhere on the pitch.

With Luka Modric nursing a sprained MCL that will reportedly keep him on the sidelines until the end of May, manager Carlo Ancelotti is filling the void by inserting Ramos into Real Madrid's midfield. It's a move that seems slightly bizarre given the club's wealth of midfielders, but one that paid off when they defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the second leg of the round of 16.

Modric is normally the team's quarterback of sorts, launching the lethal counterattacks that have come to define Real Madrid. Finding a replacement for the miniature Croatian is near impossible, and his absence provides Juventus with a lifeline.

If Roberto Pereyra, who is likely to be deployed as the most attacking of Juventus' midfielders, can ensure that Ramos doesn't replicate Modric's invasions down the middle of the pitch, it will provide Massimiliano Allegri's side with a massive boost in their quest to reach the Champions League final.

Gareth Bale vs. Giorgio Chiellini and Patrice Evra

Gianluca Nesci: If you're a Juventus supporter, this, more than anything else, should have you trembling.

Given all the unwarranted abuse he faces in the Spanish capital, it's easy to forget that Gareth Bale is really, really great at football. Anybody who tells you he isn't one of the best attacking players in the world is lying directly to your face and should not be trusted.

Expected to return to the starting lineup after recovering from his calf injury and making a substitute appearance against Sevilla over the weekend, Bale should assume his regular role as Real Madrid's utility man on the right side of the front-three - before dropping back as a wide midfielder when his team is not in possession.

That should see the flying Welshman go head-to-head with the left side of Juventus's defense, where he will encounter Patrice Evra and Giorgio Chiellini: also known as the weakest area of Max Allegri's side.

While Evra has been sturdy and reliable in his debut season, there is no denying that he isn't the player he once was at Manchester United. Chiellini meanwhile, who will likely be preferred ahead of the superior Andrea Barzagli, has seen his form dip dramatically this season. The Italian is still the hard-tackling, no-nonsense defender he always has been, but the cracks are starting to show. There are mental lapses. Mistakes with the ball at his feet. Uncharacteristic errors in judgment that leave him exposed (particularly when he is forced to deal with speed).

Against Bale, he simply cannot afford to make any of those mistakes.