Giorgio Chiellini insists Juventus have ‘great respect’ for Monaco, who have ‘the best defence in the French League’.
The centre-back was speaking at the pre-match Press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League Quarter Final first leg, and admits there’s a lot to admire about Leonardo Jardim’s side.
“Monaco are definitely a team where there’s a mix of youngsters and players with international experience,” Chiellini pointed out.
Giorgio Chiellini insists Juventus have ‘great respect’ for Monaco, who have ‘the best defence in the French League’.
The centre-back was speaking at the pre-match Press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League Quarter Final first leg, and admits there’s a lot to admire about Leonardo Jardim’s side.
“Monaco are definitely a team where there’s a mix of youngsters and players with international experience,” Chiellini pointed out.
“They’re a team which has found a great awareness and continuity, and they’re showing that in the French League [Ligue 1] where they have the best defence and are doing well, and especially in the Champions League where they’ve surprised everyone.
“There is great respect on our part, we know the difficulties which we’ll face tomorrow and we’re ready.
“We’re under no illusions, and are not influenced by the excitement which perhaps is coming from outside, from those who underestimate Monaco.
“We’re not thinking like that, and we’re absolutely not making that mistake.”
The Bianconeri were defeated by bottom side Parma on Saturday, but Chiellini insists that setback will have no bearing on tomorrow’s game.
“We’d have preferred to win, but it will not in the slightest affect the game tomorrow.
“Unfortunately when you play so many games so close together, especially when you get positive results, there shouldn’t be, but sometimes there’s a bit of a ‘mental decline’.
“We had it last year at a similar stage, and unfortunately it happened on Saturday.
“However, this week is too important for us to let Saturday have the slightest influence on what happens.”