Juventus were “chickens” in failing to muster a shot on target at Club Atlético de Madrid but, with a last-16 spot at stake, Massimiliano Allegri says this time will be different.
Massimiliano Allegri, Juventus coach
Winning by two goals will not be easy as they don’t give you many chances. It’s going to be very difficult and we can’t lose track of our objective, which is to go through but also to come first as that would allow us to face a runner-up in the draw.
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Fernando Llorente and Paul Pogba training on Monday
It’s going to be a different game [to the reverse fixture]. We’re at home and have the fans behind us. Maybe we’ll win and it’s not enough to come first. It’s fundamental that Juve reach the last 16. We’ve got to try to win but they’ll be looking to defend top spot.
[Diego] Simeone’s doing a great job and winning the league is not easy when you are up against Real Madrid and Barcelona. Reaching the Champions League final is also a great achievement. He does deserve to win the FIFA World Coach of the Year award, but so do Carlo Ancelotti and the Germany coach [Joachim Löw]. They all deserve it for what they’ve done.
We lost in Madrid and in Athens and I don’t think we deserved to. We were chickens in Madrid, and in Athens we didn’t score. We’re at home tomorrow, though, and the fans will get behind us, plus we’re in good shape. We’re playing to snatch first place, they’re playing to defend it.
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Diego Simeone has been shaped by Italian football
Diego Simeone, Atlético coach
From what I read in the papers, we’re getting better and better – but I think we can get better still. It’s a very important game for the final group standings. Juventus can go out if they lose and that makes the game even more intriguing.
I think that my [2010] spell at Catania Calcio was my most important one in Italy because I encountered things there that I had not seen in big clubs back in Argentina. That experience helped me face up to difficulties which help you grow. Here in Italy, it’s harder for a coach and I have gained a lot from Italian football.
Tomorrow we will face an atmosphere like a final. Juventus didn’t go through last year so it’s very, very important for them. We’re up against a side who need a big performance. They are under pressure and obliged to go through.
source: uefa.com
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 