Real Madrid hold a 3-0 advantage over Juventus heading into their Champions League quarter-final second-leg clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday evening, writes DEAN WORKMAN.

For large parts of the first leg in Turin, Juventus would have been happy with their performance. The Italians may have conceded an early goal, as Cristiano Ronaldo ghosted in to poke home, but they quickly found their feet and looked for a way back into the game.

Massimiliano Allegri’s men came out in the second half fired up but after a good fifteen-minute spell, they were again pegged back by Ronaldo. This time the entire stadium rose to applaud the Portuguese international who scored an outrageous overhead kick to double Madrid’s lead. Juve’s problems were further compounded as Paulo Dybala was sent off and then Marcelo scored Madrid’s third. Zinedine Zidane’s men are well in control after scoring three away goals.

Los Blancos head into the second leg knowing that they only need to avoid a heavy defeat to progress to the semi-finals. Madrid are out of contention for La Liga and are out of the Copa del Rey, leaving the Champions League as their only viable piece of silverware for this season. This has been apparent in Zidane’s thinking as he has elected to rest some of his stars, including Ronaldo, in La Liga matches.

Juventus may face Champions League elimination, but they have enjoyed another successful league campaign as they sit in pole position to secure their seventh straight Serie A title. Allegri’s men currently sit four points ahead of Napoli.

Although this tie looks dead and buried, Juve will draw hope after watching their fellow Italians perform a memorable comeback last night against Spanish opposition. Roma lost 4-1 to Barcelona in the first leg at the Camp Nou but bounced back in the second leg, winning 3-0 and progressing on the away goal rule.

Zidane’s men will be confident of securing their progress into the final four; they will, however, remain wary of the threats posed by the Italians. After witnessing a shock result last night, Madrid won’t be taking anything for granted in their pursuit of a third straight Champions League crown.

Real Madrid will host Juventus in their second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night, with kick-off at 20:45.

Follow Dean Workman on Twitter: @DeanoWorks