[CL] Olympiacos 1-0 JUVENTUS (October 22nd 2014) (29 Viewers)

Status
Not open for further replies.

Mister

Senior Member
Apr 4, 2014
5,742
Michel: Allegri's Juve still strong

We know how to face games in this competition and proved last year that we are capable of it, said Michel in his Press conference.

Tomorrow we must decide if we are up to the standard of this tournament. We respect Juve, but also want to continue our journey. We are honoured that people are talking about us outside of Greece.”

Olympiacos already impressed this season, as they earned a shock 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid here, but lost 2-0 away to Malmo. Michel was asked whether Alberto Botia’s form was a problem.

This season we conceded four goals, the same as last term. I don’t like commenting on one specific player, as the responsibility is on the whole team.

I can’t say how the game will go, as I didn’t expect the Atleti match to end 3-2 either. We are going into a top level game and if Kasami scores with a header then great, but we’ll see if he plays or not, as I don’t want to give Allegri too much information!

It is not the first time we’ve faced a 3-5-2 formation. We know well how Juve will attack and defend, so we’ll be ready.

Juventus have changed with the arrival of Massimiliano Allegri after three years of Conte and Marcello Lippi said this team is “less ferocious” than in the past.

Conte’s Juve was certainly distinctive, but not stronger than Allegri’s side. They are different and cannot be compared. I don’t think Lippi was trying to be critical, continued the Spanish Coach.

Fernando Llorente hasn’t scored yet this season, while Alvaro Morata is an excellent player. When he was 15 years old I got him to move from Getafe to Real Madrid.

I’d prefer that neither of them play tomorrow, but I have a predilection for Morata.”

The Bianconeri are locked in a Scudetto battle with Roma, so have Giallorossi defenders Kostas Manolas and Vasilis Torosidis given Michel any advice?

I spoke to both of them and they talked to me in Greek, which was a problem... They will certainly support Olympiacos tomorrow.
 

Buy on AliExpress.com

DanielSz

Senior Member
Sep 6, 2014
12,459
I've been thinking of the lineup and I'm just wondering if this would be too crazy:

Buffon

Licht Bonucci Chiellini Asamoah

Marchisio

Vidal Pogba

Pirlo

Morata Tevez
 

Mister

Senior Member
Apr 4, 2014
5,742
Allegri:

I brought 18 players, plus the goalkeepers, and they are all available, noted the Coach in his Press conference.

I have several choices still to make. I can be sure of the four defenders, but that doesn’t mean I will play with four at the back, plus Tevez and Vidal.

Arturo is doing better and the last few days training in Turin improved his fitness levels. Tomorrow I hope to see an excellent Vidal, albeit not at 100 per cent for the full 90 minutes, but hopefully in good shape.

Among the choices Allegri is still pondering is Fernando Llorente or Alvaro Morata in attack to partner Carlos Tevez.

Morata has a lot of quality and great potential, so I will evaluate whether he or Llorente start. Morata is really growing a great deal.

Olympiacos already beat Atletico Madrid 3-2 in Athens, so are a dangerous proposition on home turf.

What headline would I give to this game? Not decisive, but important. We have tomorrow in Athens, then in 15 days we meet again in Turin. We need the right performance in every sense.

We have great respect for Olympiacos. They beat Atletico, they play good football and have a Coach who brought the Spanish mentality to Greece, so focus on possession and passing.

It’ll be difficult for us and for them, as Champions League games are never easy. We must find a way to limit their strongest characteristics.

Juve went out of the Champions League last season following a surprise defeat away to Galatasaray and have struggled on their European travels.

Going forward in the Champions League is fundamental and we absolutely cannot get this wrong. The atmosphere will be fiery and the fans try to help their team, but it’s the players on the pitch who decide the result.

We must be relaxed and determined to play a game that is strong in substance and technique.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 29)