The UEFA competitions for clubs have now reached a decisive phase.

Till today, there are six Serie A sides still in the running which is quite a remarkable feat considering Italian clubs’ disappointing campaigns in Europe of late.

Following the premature exits of Napoli, in the third qualifying round, and Roma, in the group stages, from the Champions League, Juventus are the only side left flying the Italian flag in UEFA’s flagship competition. Tonight, they take a slender 2-1 lead to Borussia Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion for the last 16, second leg (see also page 50).

If Juventus eliminate Dortmund, they will reach the quarter-finals of the competition for only the second time since 2005/06, when they were ousted by eventual runners-up Arsenal.

This time two years ago, Antonio Conte’s Juventus ousted Celtic 5-0 on aggregate before they were overpowered by Bayern Munich 4-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals.

At home, Juventus are now on the brink of winning their fourth straight league title.

However, in my opinion, it is useless to dominate the Serie A so convincingly but then fail miserably in Europe.

The Champions League represents the ideal yardstick to measure Juve’s true strength and it is high time that the Italian champions leave their mark on the continent. The last time they reached the European Cup final was in 2003.

Dortmund will be no pushovers tonight.

The eight times Bundesliga winners, like Bayern Munich, have a big incentive to go all the way in the competition because the June 6 final will be played in Berlin.

Eighteen years ago, Dortmund had made home soil count in the final by defeating Juventus 3-1 in Munich to lift their first, and so far only, Champions Cup.

This will be a much improved Dortmund side compared to that of a month ago.

In the beginning of February, Jurgen Klopp’s men were rock bottom in the league standings. At the time, the indications were that they would snub Europe to make sure they stay afloat in the Bundesliga.

However, 14 points from their last six outings have catapulted Klopp’s side to a mid-table, trouble-free spot. Dortmund’s ascendency of late coincided with the news that their stalwart Marco Reus had pledged his future to the club until 2019, thus ending speculation that he might follow in the footsteps of Robert Lewandowski and Mario Goetze in joining rivals Bayern.

Juventus have a 100 per cent winning record at the Westfalenstadion – three wins in as many visits – 3-1 in 1992/93 (UEFA Cup final, first leg), 2-1 in 1994/95 (UEFA Cup semi-finals) and 3-1 in 1995/96 (Champions League group stage).

Moreover, Juventus have a positive record in two-legged encounters against German opponents... won 15, drew 12 and lost only three.

Europa League chances

The all-Italian Europa League last-16 clash between Roma and Fiorentina guarantees there will be at least one Serie A club in Friday’s quarter-final draw in Nyon.

This will be the fifth meeting between these two sides this season.

Apart from last week’s 1-1 draw in Tuscany, Fiorentina eliminated Roma from the Coppa Italia. In the Serie A, Roma prevailed 2-0 at home and came from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw in Florence.

Following Monday’s upset to Sampdoria, Roma bowed out of the title race. The Giallorossi have fallen 14 points behind leaders Juventus.

The Europa League represents the only remaining chance for Roma to win any major silverware this season.

Fiorentina, currently fifth, are in a strong position to reach the Coppa Italia final for the second year running as they have beaten Juventus 2-1 away from home in the first leg.

Inconsistent Napoli should be good enough to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League as they take a 3-1 lead to Moscow against Dynamo.

Inter, three times winners of the competition, are facing a tall order, however.

In fact, they seek to recover from a 1-3 away defeat to current Bundesliga runners-up Wolfsburg.

Perhaps, Torino have the most daunting task of the lot as they seek to overcome a 2-0 deficit against 2008 Europa League winners Zenit St Petersburg.

The Maroons are coming from three straight defeats but they seem to be reserving their best for their matches in Europe this season.

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