With two aerial specialists in Mario Mandzukic and Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus are a bit of a throwback and present a unique challenge to any defence.It might not provide the most enthralling technical football of the Champions League round of 16, but there's something wonderfully intriguing about the tie between Atletico Madrid and Juventus, the first leg of which takes place on Wednesday evening.These are effectively the two nearly-men of the last half-decade in this competition, both defeated finalists twice: Atletico losing to Real Madrid in 2014 and 2016, Juventus falling to Barcelona and Real in 2015 and 2017. But that status, and...

Matchday 24 in Serie A saw a plethora of world-class goals, but were any better than Krzysztof Piatek's no-look volley for Milan? Dan Thomas and Craig Burley make their picks for the first legs of this week's Champions League, including Liverpool-Bayern and Atletico-Juventus. Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira has stayed in Turin to undergo tests on a heart problem that emerged on Tuesday and sees him miss Wednesday's Champions League round-of-16 clash at Atletico Madrid.Khedira complained of a cardiac arrhythmia as Juve trained in Turin before flying out to Madrid, and the club's medical department will keep him under observation.CHAMPIONS LEAGUEHow to fix the Champions LeagueIt's time to find a way to fix the Champions League -- or start a European super league.Watch on ESPN networks in the U.S.ESPN+ is America's home for a host of professional soccer leagues from around the world, highlighted by Italy's Serie A, Major League Soccer, UEFA Nations League and English FA Cup. | ESPN+ schedule- Latest Champions League tables- Upcoming group fixtures- Champions League statistics- All the latest UCL newsHis absence was confirmed by Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri, who told Sky Sport Italia he would probably have been picked at the Estadio...

Matchday 24 in Serie A saw a plethora of world-class goals, but were any better than Krzysztof Piatek's no-look volley for Milan? Cristiano Ronaldo scored a goal and assisted Paulo Dybala's screamer to help Juventus rout Frosinone ahead of the first leg against Atletico Madrid. Italian Serie A: Leonardo Bonucci (17') Juventus 2-0 Frosinone Italian Serie A: Paulo Dybala (6') Juventus 1-0 Frosinone Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini said Cristiano Ronaldo has "filled the void" left by Gianluigi Buffon.Buffon, 41, left in the summer after 17 years with the Bianconeri and joined Paris Saint-Germain, while Ronaldo arrived from Real Madrid.Serie AWatch on ESPN networks in the U.S.ESPN has reached an exclusive, multi-year rights agreement in the United States for Italy's Serie A TIM, one of the world's top soccer leagues. The agreement will bring more than 340 matches per season to ESPN+ | ScheduleWhy Italian football finds its way into your bloodRoma beat Lazio, but the derby doesn't end, it merely pauses. Because like the city that birthed both clubs, it is eternal, reports Wright Thompson.LISTEN: The Serie Awesome PodcastGet the latest edition of The Serie Awesome Podcast, as the likes of Gab Marcotti, Mina Rzouki and Paolo Bandini discuss what is happening in Serie A.Speaking ahead of Juve's visit to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League round-of-16 first leg, Chiellini has said swapping the goalkeeper for the forward has worked as a like-for-like transfer terms of the two players' influence off the pitch."The arrival...

Gab Marcotti explains the latest on Mauro Icardi's strained relationship with Inter, and dives into why some clubs might be hesitant to bring on the 25-year-old striker. With Mauro Icardi watching from the stands, Inter got the better of Sampdoria in a wild match that saw three goals scored in five minutes. ESPN FC's Julien Laurens shares the latest on Mauro Icardi's ongoing feud with Inter, which could see the Argentinian star depart the club. Inter Milan general manager Beppe Marotta has branded Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici "out of order" for suggesting they could make a move for Mauro Icardi next summer.Speaking to RAI Radio, Paratici said the Bianconeri had made enquiries about Icardi before signing Cristiano Ronaldo last summer, and he added that "questions about Icardi may be on the agenda again, or not, next summer."Serie AWatch on ESPN networks in the U.S.ESPN has reached an exclusive, multi-year rights agreement in the United States for Italy's Serie A TIM, one of the world's top soccer leagues. The agreement will bring more than 340 matches per season to ESPN+ | ScheduleWhy Italian football finds its way into your bloodRoma beat Lazio, but the derby doesn't end, it merely pauses. Because like the city that birthed both clubs, it is eternal, reports Wright Thompson.LISTEN: The Serie Awesome PodcastGet the latest edition of The Serie Awesome Podcast, as the likes of Gab Marcotti, Mina Rzouki and Paolo Bandini discuss what is happening in Serie A.Marotta did not take kindly to his former colleague's remarks in what is a delicate moment for Icardi's...

Dan Thomas and Craig Burley make their picks for the first legs of this week's Champions League, including Liverpool-Bayern and Atletico-Juventus.

Matchday 24 in Serie A saw a plethora of world-class goals, but were any better than Krzysztof Piatek's no-look volley for Milan?