Cold head and warm heart. Juventus receive Monaco in Turin in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals (20.45 pm), in what can be considered a trap to all intents and purposes. In fact, the draw was considered affordable by critics and fans, which places the Bianconeri in the unprecedented role of favourites, at least in the cup. So it's enough to play as an outsider, now qualification is taken almost for granted.
Not the best given the value of the opponent: nothing transcendental compared to Bayern, Barcelona or Real Madrid, but still very respectable. Jardim's Frenchmen, third in Ligue 1 (just this weekend they overtook Marseille) 4 points behind leaders PSG, have so far made a great Champions League. First they overcame a tricky group (first ahead of Leverkusen, Zenit and Benfica) conceding just one goal in 6 games, then they eliminated the much more popular Arsenal by scoring 3 goals at the Emirates. In short, underestimating them can be very dangerous.
“They made it to the quarterfinals with merit, they showed great values – explained Allegri in the press conference. – The team is very organised, they have only conceded 4 goals in the Champions League and they also have the best defense in the league in France. Their coach is good and smart, they'll need two good games to pass. In fact, qualification won't be decided in Turin, that's why, even if we play with great intensity, we will have to be patient".
Cold head and warm heart, this is the recipe for reaching the semi-finals. In addition, obviously, to the technical quality, an aspect in which Juve, at least on paper, are superior. It is no coincidence that Allegri, while leaving the doors open to a 3-5-2 formation, seems oriented towards returning to a 4-3-1-2 formation with Pirlo in the control room. He and Barzagli are the big formation doubts: both are called up but only one will start from the beginning. If, as it seems, the choice should fall on the Bresciano we will see a rumble in midfield, with Vidal and Marchisio inside and Pereyra in the trocar. If, on the other hand, Allegri opted for Barzagli, the 3-5-2 would become inevitable. We are sure of one thing: the attacking duo will be made up of Tevez and Morata, already decisive in the round of XNUMX against Dortmund.
“If we are here it is not by chance but by merit – reiterated Jardim. – Nobody starts already qualified, we will come to Turin to play our game”. We expect Monaco to mirror and ruthless on the counterattack, in the style of what we saw in London against Arsenal. The Portuguese coach's 4-2-3-1 will see Subasic in goal, Fabinho, Abdennour, Carvalho and Kurzawa in defense, Kondogbia and Toulalan in midfield, Dirar, Moutinho and Martial in the frontline, Berbatov in attack. The Stadium, as expected, will be sold out in every order of place. To try and push Juve towards a semi-final which is anything but obvious.
