Another step towards the dream. Juventus is hunting for the semi-final of the Champions League, a result which, if achieved, would bring it even closer to the true seasonal goal. In the middle, however, there are the terrible kids from Ajax, who have already shown in the first leg that they can create various problems for the most popular lady.
The 1-1 in Amsterdam is an insidious starting point: the only draw that would be worth qualifying, in fact, is the 0-0, not the maximum to set for coaches and players. “We will have to do better than in the first leg, they are very good and they have already demonstrated it – explained Allegri. – They haven't lost away yet, let's hope this is the right time but it will be essential to have great attention and improve in the construction of the game ".
Everyone's mind at Juve has been focused on this challenge since last Wednesday, as we saw in the away game in Ferrara on Saturday. An interlude that the Juventus coach clearly (and reasonably) snubbed and which earned him the criticisms of those who fight not to relegate (Mihajlovic in the lead), annoyed by the formation full of reserves and by an attitude not exactly to the bladed weapon. Controversies that made you smile (in a bitter way, of course) Allegri, rightly focused on the Champions League and not on a Scudetto that will arrive anyway. “I mustn't argue, it's not worth it – retorted the Juventus coach. – Everything I've heard represents a lack of respect for those who took the field, we had nine national teams in training … ".
Tonight, of course, typical Juve will be back on the field. Cheerful, net of heavy absences of Chiellini and Mandzukic, will field the best possible 4-3-3 with Szczesny in goal, Cancelo, Bonucci, Rugani and Alex Sandro in defense, Emre Can, Pjanic and Matuidi in midfield, Bernardeschi, Ronaldo and Dybala (slight favorite over Kean) in attack.
“The feelings and the desire for a race like this come by themselves, we want another unforgettable evening – growled Ten Hag. – The tension will always be greater, they are the favorites but we have gained more awareness and mentality". The Ajax coach knows he's not a favorite but in Madrid it was the same thing and we all know how it ended. Light-heartedness can prove to be a double-edged sword but the Dutch, having reached this point, at least want to try. Ten Hag will rely on the usual 4-2-3-1 all dribbling and high pressing with Onana between the posts, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Blind and Veltman in the back, Schoene and De Jong in the midfield, Neres, Van de Beek and Ziyech behind the lone striker Tadic.
