Freiburg – Juventus

The German team will not lose the match against the favourite in the duel at their home ground

In one of the most curious pairings in the Europa League 1/8 finals, the clash began last week in Turin. Of course, Freiburg's objective was not to lose away to the favourites, shifting the determination of the winner to their own arena. On the one hand, the German club failed to achieve their goal, losing 0-1 due to Di Maria's goal in the first quarter of the second half. On the other hand, a 20-1 goal difference in favour of the Old Lady suggests that Freiburg got off easy, with the threat of conceding considerably more. Furthermore, the Italian club's return match in Germany will be played two full days before the Serie A match in Milan against Inter. In theory, Inzaghi's side could become Juventus' direct rivals for places in the Champions League zone if the Turin club realise their ambition to "win back" 15 penalty points from the Italian football federation. Before the return leg, bookmakers have identified the visitors as the favourites, offering odds of 2.37 to win. The class of Freiburg is certainly not as high as that of their upcoming opponents. However, underestimating Straich's team is contraindicated. Freiburg spent almost the entire current Bundesliga season in the Champions League zone, only occasionally leaving the top 4. The team has been successful on several fronts. As a rule, even the strongest clubs in Europe suffer declining results in matches that come before or after European competition. Streich effectively avoids such psychological mini-slumps in his players. Juventus lost an away game to Roma before the first leg against Freiburg. That shattered their ambitions of qualifying for the European competitions after they were denied 15 points by the local federation. Having rested on Friday and Saturday after the encounter with Freiburg, the Turin club will go on another Serie A 'trek'. Defeat to Inter on 19 March could put Juventus' aspirations of qualifying for the Champions League zone to rest. Freiburg have had plenty of experience hosting big teams this season, so the German club's players will not be shaking in front of Juventus' players. We're betting that the hosts will not lose the return leg.