At the assault of a dream. Juventus are ready to face Barcelona in what is undoubtedly the most important night of the season, at least until the second leg. To give meaning to next Wednesday's Camp Nou challenge, however, there is a need for a positive performance already today, which is why the Champions League goal, in fact, passes from tonight.
“We will play with the conviction of going through – growled Allegri in the press conference. – It won't be easy because Barcelona have very strong players, but we too have many. Our self-esteem has grown a lot and I intend to field all our forwards, we know that we will have to score and therefore we will put our qualities on the field."
Important words, of those who are tired of hiding and really believe they can do it. After all, Barça, even if enhanced by the best attack in the world, is no longer the invincible army of 2015, when they conquered the Champions League in Berlin right in front of the black and whites. Paris Saint Germain has already shown the limits of Luis Enrique's creature and Malaga did the same on Saturday night: respect yes but without fear.
“On paper Barça is superior but I have positive sensations – commented Buffon. – Compared to the final two years ago we have much more experience, that's why we will face the match with the right attitude without necessarily having to be the sacrificial victim".
In short, qualification percentages are substantially equal, albeit with different weapons. Beyond the initial training (we'll talk about it shortly) it's reasonable to expect a wait-and-see Juve, which however doesn't mean giving up on hurting. Barcelona, on the other hand, will play their usual football, although Luis Enrique, someone who knows Italian football and the strength of the black and whites well, will certainly not want to offer his side to Allegri's team.
“Juve's numbers are amazing – explained the Spanish coach. – They are able to dominate all phases, both in attack and in defense, that's why we will have to play our game and therefore play only to win".
“If we want to qualify, we'll need two well-done races – confirmed Mascherano. – We will face a very strong Juve, which moreover has a truly fantastic record at home".
Such humility does not concern himself with the classic Blaugrana style and gives the idea of the respect that there is towards the Italian champions. Allegri, as confirmed by his words in the press room, will send all the firepower he has onto the pitch, therefore a 4-2-3-1 with Buffon in goal, Dani Alves, Bonucci, Chiellini and Alex Sandro (favorite over Asamoah) in defense, Khedira and Pjanic in midfield, Cuadrado, Dybala and Mandzukic in the frontline, Higuain in attack.
Luis Enrique, forced to do without the suspended Busquets, will respond with the usual 4-3-3 with Ter Stegen in goal, Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti and Jordi Alba in the back, Rakitic, Mascherano and Iniesta in the midfield, Messi , Suarez and Neymar in the offensive trident.
The referee of the match will be the Polish Marciniak, the same of Lyon-Juve (0-1 goal by Cuadrado) and, above all, of Paris Saint Germain-Barcelona 4-0: a small signal, the umpteenth one to hold onto to make that dream come true called the Champions League.
OFFICIAL FORMATIONS:
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Dani Alves, Bonucci, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Khedira, Pjanic; Cuadrado, Dybala, Mandzukic; Higuain.
BARCELONA: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Mathieu; Rakitic, Mascherano, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar.
