5 Key Battles to watch out for as Juventus host Olympique Lyon | UEFA Champions League 2019-20

#3 Adrien Rabiot vs Bruno Guimaraes

Adrien Rabiot could play an essential role in the game

Two new signings at both clubs, Rabiot left Paris Saint-Germain for Turin last summer and Guimaraes joined Lyon from the Brazilian top-flight for a reported €20m fee in January. Rabiot has started 21 Serie A games for the Bianconeri and has grown into a dependable presence in the middle of the park. The Frenchman's displays mainly since the restart have been commendable.

Despite being a new recruit, Bruno Guimaraes looks at ease playing in the French top-flight. The tough-tackling Brazilian has played just six competitive games for Lyon and has already established himself as a capable ball-winner in midfield with an eye for a pass. He's averaged four tackles and averaged 65 passes per game in the league.

1 - Bruno Guimaraes 🇧🇷 against Juventus tonight:96.4% passing accuracy in the opp half - 1st68 touches - 2nd for Lyon4 interceptions - 1st7 duels won - 2nd for LyonBaller.#OLJuve pic.twitter.com/RI53YqpUFm

— Optajean (@OptaJean) February 26, 2020

WIth Juventus likelier to be the team pushing ahead on the pitch, Rabiot and Guimaraes are sure to cross each other's paths and contest in a battle that could play a key role. Disrupting the Brazilian's rhythm could affect Lyon's build-up play, stifling the visitors high up the pitch. Rabiot has shown a knack of driving into the opposition half with the ball, and Guimaraes could be vital in stopping the Frenchman in full flow. Rabiot also has prior experience playing against his former French rivals.

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#2 Rodrigo Bentancur vs Houssem Aouar

Bentancur could be tasked with keeping Aouar in check

It's the battle of two exciting young central midfielders as Aouar and Rodrigo Bentancur will lock horns in midfield. The performances of these two players could have a significant impact on their sides as both have played influential roles for Lyon and Juve, respectively.

The Frenchman was the chief architect for Garcia's side in the reverse fixture, continually threatening the Juventus defence with his runs, killer passes and off-the-ball movement. Aouar is an elegant dribbler with the ball, averaging a whopping 4.2 dribbles per game in his five UCL appearances. He would be tasked with more of the creative and ball-carrying duties from midfield, something his counterpart will have to stop.

Houssem Aouar has now provided three assists in each of his Champions League campaigns:2018/19:🅰️ vs. Shakhtar🅰️ vs. Hoffenheim🅰️ vs. Hoffenheim2019/20:🅰️ vs. RB Leipzig🅰️ vs. Benfica🅰️ vs. JuventusSo classy. pic.twitter.com/97nUOGtbzF

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 26, 2020

Bentancur, on the other hand, is an all-action midfielder who does not mind doing the dirty work and winning the ball back for the Old Lady. The Uruguayan averages just under four tackles plus interceptions per game in the UCL, while committing 1.7 fouls. The two young midfielders would be one to keep an eye out for, as two distinctly different approaches to the game will indulge in a heated contest.

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#1 Cristiano Ronaldo vs Jason Denayer

Ronaldo has been in sumptuous form in recent months

Former Manchester City youth player Jason Denayer is undoubtedly tasked with the most challenging job of the evening — to keep Cristiano Ronaldo at bay. The imperious Juventus forward has been in stellar form, scoring 21 Serie A goals since the turn of the year after a questionable return in the first ten games of the season.

Denayer has been a rock at the back for Lyon, playing 25 of their 28 league games and contributing profoundly in building up play. The centre-back averages 64.1 passes per game at an accuracy of 94%, and will have to be wary of a lurking Cristiano in the final third. The Juventus forward has a record of scoring clutch goals in his favourite competition, leaving minimal margin for error if any on the evening.

The pair went toe-to-toe in the first leg, and Denayer managed to keep Ronaldo quiet

Ronaldo has had an uncharacteristically poor UCL campaign so far, having scored just two goals across seven European games. The stage is set for the Portuguese football icon to atone for his lack of goals and fire Juventus to the next round. Denayer has a herculean task at hand, and would hope to shore up his defence for one of the most crucial nights of the season. After having already shut him out in the first leg, the 25-year-old is undoubtedly going to enter the reverse fixture with a certain amount of confidence.

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