Juventus face Barcelona in their Champions League quarterfinal, first leg on Wednesday, a match in which there is little point looking to domestic form for a clue to the possible outcome.Marcello Lippi’s Juve lead Serie A by five points from Inter Milan — a margin that suggests their 27th Scudetto will not be long arriving.The Italians’ form in Europe, however, has been less predictable. In the second group phase, back-to-back defeats by Manchester United were the prelude to a 2-1 loss to Swiss side Basel. In contrast, Barcelona have been the most impressive side in this season’s Champions League, winning 13 and drawing one of their 14 games in the group stages and qualifying round.Their form in the Spanish league, however, is another story. A 0-2 defeat to Villarreal on Sunday left them marooned inmid-table, raising questions about how a team that perform so efficiently against the cream of Europe could play so dismally at home.Despite his opponents’ devastating European form, Juventus coach Marcello Lippi said he was delighted to have been paired with them in the quarter-finals. ‘‘It’s not just for technical reasons that I’m happy, but also because I’ve never faced Barcelona before in my career,’’ he said. ‘‘It will be a fascinating and exciting match.’’Lippi’s plans have been disrupted by a shoulder injury to French striker David Trezeguet, leaving his striking options limited as Chilean Marcelo Salas is also sidelined while Marco Di Vaio is not yet ready for a full 90 minutes.Trezeguet’s regular partner, Alessandro Del Piero, has not yet regained his best form after returning from a two-month layoff. Uruguayan Marcelo Zalayeta is likely to partner Del Piero inattack, with Di Vaio poised to come off the bench if needed.Influential Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved is carrying a thigh injury but trained on Monday and is hoping to be fit. Barcelona coach Radomir Antic will make a late decision onthe fitness of Dutch defender Frank de Boer after he twisted an ankle against Villarreal. Swedish international Patrik Andersson stands by.Luis Enrique has been passed fit to rejoin the squad after a month out with a muscle tear and the influential former Spanish international could be called on as a substitute if needed.The job of minding Nedved is likely to go to fast-improving Thiago Motta. ‘‘It’ll be difficult but I relish this sort of job,’’ the 20-year-old Brazilian said. He’s a great player but it will be good for me to be next to a player of his quality. He plays well with both feet and his a fierce shot. I’ll do everything to make sure he doesn’t have a good game.’’The teams have met in three previous two-legged European ties, with Juve successful in the 1970-71 Fairs Cup but the Spanish team going through in both the 1986 European Cup quarter-finals and the 1991 Cup Winners’ Cup semis. (Reuters)
