Carlo Ancelotti says Juventus getting to the Champions League semi-finals would be ‘important’ for Italian football, and discusses Alvaro Morata.
The Bianconeri face Monaco tomorrow night knowing that if they avoid defeat they can advance to the last four in the competition for the first time since 2003.
“Juventus, as well as Napoli and Fiorentina in the Europa League are doing well,” Ancelotti told Corriere dello Sport.
Carlo Ancelotti says Juventus getting to the Champions League semi-finals would be ‘important’ for Italian football, and discusses Alvaro Morata.
The Bianconeri face Monaco tomorrow night knowing that if they avoid defeat they can advance to the last four in the competition for the first time since 2003.
“Juventus, as well as Napoli and Fiorentina in the Europa League are doing well,” Ancelotti told Corriere dello Sport.
“They can get to the semi-finals, and if they were to do so it would be a positive thing, it could encourage a revival in the League, where – particularly in terms of top spot – there’s been little competition.
“In particular, Juventus have the ability to get to the semi-finals of the Champions League, which would be big for an Italian team, and would be important for everyone [in Serie A].
“Juventus’ biggest strength is definitely the consistency that they’ve managed to maintain, despite changing Coach.
“Juventus got a good result [in the first leg], but only holding a one-goal lead after the first leg is always difficult.”
Striker Alvaro Morata joined the Italian champions from Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid this summer, and Los Merengues have a buyback clause on the forward.
However, the former Milan Coach seemed to indicate that Morata would stay in Turin.
“He’s young, he has quality and enthusiasm, and he can have an important future with Juventus.”
Ancelotti also assesed the other Champions League ties, and believes Bayern Munich are on the brink after their 3-1 first leg defeat to Porto.
“I think it will be hard for them to recover,” Ancelotti mused.
“It’s difficult, because a two goal deficit is not insignificant, and it’s especially difficult against a team like Porto who are in great form.
“Apart from Barcelona, who have a very good lead [over Paris Saint-Germain, all the other ties are finely poised.
“For us [against Atletico Madrid]? It’s a difficult game, but the whole club is confident. It’s true that we have some players out, but the most important thing is the confidence that we can reach the semi-finals.
“Injuries aside, the team is doing well, and our performance at the Calderon [in the first leg] was very encouraging.”