Decision time for Capello

Juventus v Real Madrid: Fabio Capello has always been one of European football's more pragmatic managers, a disciple of clean…

Juventus v Real Madrid: Fabio Capello has always been one of European football's more pragmatic managers, a disciple of clean sheets and the game's darker arts. But tonight in Turin the Juventus manager faces a monumental gamble: stick with the steady approach that has brought league titles in Italy and Spain, or play three up front and go for broke.

In the past week Capello has opted for the latter and been rewarded with victories against Siena and Roma. But at yesterday's press conference he was coy about how his side would line up against Real Madrid after they finished 1-0 down from the first leg at the Bernabeu.

"We are going to attack, obviously, because we need to score," he said. "But I haven't yet decided whether to go with three strikers. We have to be very careful because Real Madrid are dangerous on the counter-attack."

If Capello does rebel against his naturally defensive instincts, expect Alessandro Del Piero - a more inconstant than iconic figure these days - to be given another chance to deliver in a free role behind the strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Trezeguet. The absence of the Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved, who has not trained since a clash of heads with Raul Bravo in the first leg, has forced Capello's hand if he wants a creative output within his "trident formation".

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Whether he will indeed go with Del Piero, though, is a question which has divided Italy. Del Piero has scored three goals in the last two games, one a wonder strike that recalled those distant days when he bewitched Europe and kept Roberto Baggio out of the national team.

But his many critics subscribe to the view of the former Juventus president Gianni Agnelli, who once described Del Piero as "Godot - because we're always waiting for him".

The 3-1 second-leg win ended the Spaniards' dream of winning a fourth European Cup in six seasons and, although Real went on to claim the Spanish title, the failure in Europe cost the then coach Vicente del Bosque his job.

One thing is for certain, though, Real will not sit back. Thomas Gravesen will guard the back four, allowing Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Luis Figo to foray forward.

"We are going to attack," Figo said. "We don't know how to play any other way. But it's not going to be easy and I'm not convinced we are going to score. Nothing in life is definite except death."

Real's third coach this season, Vanderlei Luxemburgo, faces his toughest examination yet. His side are less spectacular in attack than previously but the pay-off has been an improvement in defence.

Zidane has recovered from a groin strain and strikers Raul and Michael Owen are back in training after missing the Valencia match through illness.

JUVENTUS (probable): Buffon; Zebina, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Tacchinardi, Emerson; Del Piero, Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet.

REAL MADRID (probable): Casillas; Raul Bravo, Samuel, Helguera, Carlos; Beckham, Gravesen, Zidane, Figo; Raul, Ronaldo.

Referee: Markus Merk (Germany)