By Fernando Duarte
Brazilian international Emerson has warned Liverpool FC to expect a rampant Juventus FC in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final.
First-leg deficit
Liverpool travel to Italy defending a 2-1 lead, however Emerson was not unduly impressed by the English side. The midfielder believes the Reds were lucky to escape with a victory at Anfield and is confident the Turin giants will overturn the deficit at the Stadio Delle Alpi.
Unlucky breaks
"We were unlucky to lose in England, especially after the performance we produced in the second half," Emerson told uefa.com. "They scored from a dead-ball situation and with a strike that I can't see Luis García repeating in another 50 attempts. On the other hand, we hit the post, had a goal disallowed and were stopped twice by great saves from their goalkeeper.
Different situation
"I am sure things will be very different for Liverpool here in Turin," he added. "We are planning to give Liverpool a taste of the same medicine we received at Anfield. Juve are one of the world's hardest sides to beat - even more so when we are playing at home - so we don't fear Liverpool. They will regret having let in that Fabio Cannavaro goal in the first leg."
Striking armoury
Although they have conceded only four goals in nine Champions League matches this season, the 29-year-old says Juve's attacking prowess will ultimately prove the difference between the teams. Despite the absence of French international David Trezeguet with an ankle injury, coach Fabio Capello has a triumvirate of strikers to choose from and Emerson is adamant they have the talent to exploit Liverpool's defence.
Clean sheet
He said: "Lots of people prefer to talk about Juve's defensive skill, either in a good or a bad way, but we have enough people around able to score goals when we need them. We have Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alessandro Del Piero and Marcelo Zalayeta who can score goals - and I fancy my own chances on Wednesday too. I don't believe Liverpool can keep a clean sheet against us in Turin."
Gerrard absent
Emerson's confidence is buoyed by the knowledge that inspirational Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been ruled out of the return. The midfielder has stayed on Merseyside nursing a groin injury, and Emerson believes his absence will make a big difference. "Liverpool do not have a fantastic squad, but in individual terms, Steven Gerrard is an amazing player. He is very intelligent and also deceptively quick. He is their best player by a long way," he said.
One step beyond
Emerson is so sure of victory he is already looking beyond the last eight. After losing on penalties to Italian rivals AC Milan in the 2002/03 final, the €28m summer signing from AS Roma is confident Juve can go one step further this time and win the tournament.
'Sublime achievement'
"There is a great deal of fuss about Chelsea [FC] because they are the team of the moment, but just to refresh people's memories, Juve are still in the competition," he said. "We feel we have a good chance to win the European [Champion Clubs'] Cup. The Champions League is the main objective for Juve this season, especially after the fans got so disappointed with the defeat by Milan. Conquering Europe for the first time since 1996, and 20 years after that sad 1985 Heysel final, would be a sublime achievement."
Brazilian international Emerson has warned Liverpool FC to expect a rampant Juventus FC in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final.
First-leg deficit
Liverpool travel to Italy defending a 2-1 lead, however Emerson was not unduly impressed by the English side. The midfielder believes the Reds were lucky to escape with a victory at Anfield and is confident the Turin giants will overturn the deficit at the Stadio Delle Alpi.
Unlucky breaks
"We were unlucky to lose in England, especially after the performance we produced in the second half," Emerson told uefa.com. "They scored from a dead-ball situation and with a strike that I can't see Luis García repeating in another 50 attempts. On the other hand, we hit the post, had a goal disallowed and were stopped twice by great saves from their goalkeeper.
Different situation
"I am sure things will be very different for Liverpool here in Turin," he added. "We are planning to give Liverpool a taste of the same medicine we received at Anfield. Juve are one of the world's hardest sides to beat - even more so when we are playing at home - so we don't fear Liverpool. They will regret having let in that Fabio Cannavaro goal in the first leg."
Striking armoury
Although they have conceded only four goals in nine Champions League matches this season, the 29-year-old says Juve's attacking prowess will ultimately prove the difference between the teams. Despite the absence of French international David Trezeguet with an ankle injury, coach Fabio Capello has a triumvirate of strikers to choose from and Emerson is adamant they have the talent to exploit Liverpool's defence.
Clean sheet
He said: "Lots of people prefer to talk about Juve's defensive skill, either in a good or a bad way, but we have enough people around able to score goals when we need them. We have Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alessandro Del Piero and Marcelo Zalayeta who can score goals - and I fancy my own chances on Wednesday too. I don't believe Liverpool can keep a clean sheet against us in Turin."
Gerrard absent
Emerson's confidence is buoyed by the knowledge that inspirational Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been ruled out of the return. The midfielder has stayed on Merseyside nursing a groin injury, and Emerson believes his absence will make a big difference. "Liverpool do not have a fantastic squad, but in individual terms, Steven Gerrard is an amazing player. He is very intelligent and also deceptively quick. He is their best player by a long way," he said.
One step beyond
Emerson is so sure of victory he is already looking beyond the last eight. After losing on penalties to Italian rivals AC Milan in the 2002/03 final, the €28m summer signing from AS Roma is confident Juve can go one step further this time and win the tournament.
'Sublime achievement'
"There is a great deal of fuss about Chelsea [FC] because they are the team of the moment, but just to refresh people's memories, Juve are still in the competition," he said. "We feel we have a good chance to win the European [Champion Clubs'] Cup. The Champions League is the main objective for Juve this season, especially after the fans got so disappointed with the defeat by Milan. Conquering Europe for the first time since 1996, and 20 years after that sad 1985 Heysel final, would be a sublime achievement."
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