Juventus Coach Max Allegri expects “a very open game that won’t end 0-0” with Ajax, while hinting Paulo Dybala will start with Cristiano Ronaldo.
The first leg of the Champions League quarter-final kicks off in Amsterdam on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
Juventus Coach Max Allegri expects “a very open game that won’t end 0-0” with Ajax, while hinting Paulo Dybala will start with Cristiano Ronaldo.
The first leg of the Champions League quarter-final kicks off in Amsterdam on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
“Cristiano Ronaldo trained with the team, he is at our disposal and if nothing happens before then, he’ll be in the starting XI tomorrow,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
The Dutch giants knocked Real Madrid out of the Champions League in the Round of 16 with a remarkable comeback from a first leg home defeat.
“Ajax are a strong team who eliminated Real Madrid, who played on a par with Bayern Munich, have technique and there have already been two Finals between Ajax and Juventus.
“This is the first match to earn our place in the semi-final. We need to be sharp, precise and lively, because I expect an open game and it’s very unlikely it will end 0-0.”
Juventus had to fight back from a 2-0 first leg defeat to Atletico Madrid in order to get through the Round of 16.
“This is a completely different game, because Ajax play in a completely different way to Atletico Madrid. Our error in Madrid was thinking that after they hit the bar, we had escaped the danger and switched off.
“It’s by no means easy to beat Atleti 3-0, as they defend so well, but we cannot think that we could do that again tomorrow. We have to lay the foundations to qualify and score away goals. Ajax lost just once – with Real Madrid – in their last 20-odd home games.
“They are a very physical team, strong in the air and in the tackle, so that is where the game will be decided. We must have the humility and capability to defend well, because that is when Ajax become vulnerable.
“We prepared this game working on their strengths and weaknesses. If they are aggressive, we need to be aggressive too. We expect spaces to open up and it to be an open match, so we have to make the most of those situations.
“It’s essential that we run and run hard towards their goal, especially against this Ajax. They tend to have these bursts of great intensity and that is when they become very dangerous.”
Emre Can is also out injured, so Allegri was asked who would start in the middle of the park, having confirmed Daniele Rugani will stand in for Giorgio Chiellini.
“Tomorrow we will play either Sami Khedira or Rodrigo Bentancur in midfield. Considering I’ve only got three centre-backs available, I doubt I’d use all of them. Rugani is one of the best defenders in Italy and therefore one of the best in Europe, because I’ve seen that the other defenders still don’t have the knowledge that ours do.
“Emre Can was in good shape, but I did not think Khedira could play 70 minutes against Milan on Saturday and yet he did. He proved once again that he is a great player in his reading of the game, in dealing with various moments.
“Bentancur is more dynamic, but lacks experience. As there will be many one-to-one duels tomorrow, Bentancur can certainly do well in those situations.
“Douglas Costa can be decisive in this first leg and the second. It’s a pity we don’t have Juan Cuadrado, but at the time I had to leave him out and include defenders in the Champions League squad from January.
“I was just telling the President that I think a wild card like in tennis for April will be very useful for clubs in the Champions League, to replace anyone who has an injury.”
Allegri said several times on Sky Sport Italia and in the Press conference that Dybala trained well this morning.
“Dybala is so talented, but not every season is the same. Paulo had a very good training session today, as he is getting back to his best on a mental level and that’s what it’s all about. He is recovering his physical condition, but above all psychological, finding that desire to prove himself and amaze people. Once he has that, Dybala is one of the most talented players at Juventus.”
If Dybala does start with Cristiano Ronaldo and Mario Mandzukic, that points to Federico Bernardeschi being on the bench.
“Bernardeschi had a good game on Saturday, especially in the second half. I always tell him, and it’s annoying but I do it for his own good, he needs to be more focused, cast aside previous games – whether they are positive or negative – and make fewer misplaced passes.
“He’s got what it takes, he just needs to find that consistency and focus. It’s a process all players have to go through. Chiellini wasn’t this good when he was 23. That is why we need to drop players every now and then, to ensure their mentality and focus is always on point.”