Aston Villa coach Unai Emery believes Juventus have a serious shot of winning the Europa League this season, highlighting how Angel Di Maria’s teams ‘usually lift trophies’.
The Bianconeri will face FC Nantes in the play-off round of the Europa League following their Champions League exit in the first half of the season.
It was a disastrous campaign in Europe’s premier club competition for Juventus, who only picked up one win in a group containing Benfica, Paris Saint-Germain and Maccabi Haifa.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Emery explained why he thinks Juventus are one of the favourites for the Europa League title this season.
“Juve are Juve, they can do it, they have important players. Winning the Europa League is also training for the Champions League, think of the ride of my Villarreal…
“And then no club has the motivation of Juventus this year. Right now, Arsenal, Manchester United and Barcelona would qualify for the next Champions League because of their league positions.
“Juventus wouldn’t, because of the point deduction. But they have champions.
“I think of Di Maria, whom I had the good fortune to coach at PSG. Angel is special and his teams usually lift trophies at the end of the season.”
Juventus’ 15-point deduction leave them 9th in the Serie A table after 22 games, 12 points behind top four candidates Atalanta, Roma and Milan. Finishing in the top four now looks unlikely for Massimiliano Allegri’s side, making Europa League victory their likeliest possible route to the Champions League.