Juventus are as good as Barcelona, insists former midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi
The former Italian international has said that he believes the Bianconeri are as good as the Catalan giants, whilst also speaking positively of some of their key players
By Mohammed Ali
Juventus hero Alessio Tacchinardi has insisted that his former club are just as good as Barcelona, whilst also praising their current crop of midfielders.
The 37-year-old, who won five Serie A titles and a Champions League triumph amongst other trophies in a stellar 13 years at the club between 1994 and 2007, believes that the Bianconeri's midfield rivals that of their European competitiors.
"[Andrea] Pirlo, [Arturo] Vidal and [Claudio] Marchisio are the best in Europe together with those of Barcelona," the former defensive midfielder was quoted as saying by Tuttosport.
"Pirlo has no equal in Europe, Vidal is a champion. And Marchisio, though little noticed, when he is one hundred per cent [he too] is a champion. The midfield of Juventus is complete.
"Thanks to [Kwadwo] Asamoah and [Mauricio] Isla, [director Giuseppe] Marotta has the right players. The department has everything to drag the team in the Champions League: quality, dynamism, goals."
Tacchinardi subsequently preceded to analyse the Old Lady's European rivals, insisting that Juventus are on a par with Tito Vilanova's men, and well ahead of Premier League sides.
"Behind Barca and Juve, which I would give a nice 9.5 [out of ten]. [I would] put Bayern and Real Madrid on nine, the Germans with Javi Martinez have captured a big signing and [Jose] Mourinho has added the talent of [Luka] Modric in his system.
"No, the British have more quality in attack, but in midfield [they do] not make me crazy. If Chelsea is an eight, Manchester City and United are 7.5 and seven. Even PSG convince me too. A large enough [squad], but not more [quality].