Former Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro praises Matthijs de Ligt, but is unsure that the Bianconeri are favourite against Villarreal tonight.
The Old Lady’s European campaign resumes in Spain as Massimiliano Allegri’s men visit Unai Emery’s Villarreal in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16.
Matthijs de Ligt will be the only central defender on the pitch, given that Leonardo Bonucci is not fit to start while Giorgio Chiellini and Daniele Rugani are injured. Danilo will partner the former Ajax defender at centre-back.
Cannavaro praised the 22-year-old ahead of tonight’s clash.
“He knows how to defend in open spaces, he fears nothing and has been improving massively lately,” Cannavaro told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Our league is tactical and very difficult. Even the movements on the pitch change, it’s all different.”
Juventus were eliminated at this stage of the competition in the last two seasons. The last time they qualified for the quarter-finals was in 2019 during Allegri’s last season at the club before his return over the summer.
Despite Juventus being unbeaten in 12 Serie A games, Cannavaro is not sure that the Serie A giants are favourite against Villarreal tonight.
“Who could say that? The Spanish club is accustomed to winning in Europe, it won’t be an easy game,” he said.
“Oddly, Juventus have everything to lose even if I am convinced that the Bianconeri have all they need to qualify.”
Cannavaro su De Ligt: "E' fortissimo. Ha fisico e istinto e crescerà ancora" https://t.co/eLyK0GMRP3
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) February 22, 2022
How far has serie a fallen if juve are not favourites against first time participants
@Jon What are you on about? This isn’t VIllareal’s first time in the competition…