Captain Giorgio Chiellini said Juventus ‘must avoid the mistakes’ from recent years against FC Porto in the Champions League.
The Bianconeri defender spoke to the press ahead of the first leg in the last 16 of the competition, as Juventus aim to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat to Napoli in Serie A.
Chiellini said the loss to the Partenopei will not affect the Old Lady in the Champions League match against on Wednesday.
Captain Giorgio Chiellini said Juventus ‘must avoid the mistakes’ from recent years against FC Porto in the Champions League.
The Bianconeri defender spoke to the press ahead of the first leg in the last 16 of the competition, as Juventus aim to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat to Napoli in Serie A.
Chiellini said the loss to the Partenopei will not affect the Old Lady in the Champions League match against on Wednesday.
“We have come from a very positive period,” Chiellini said at a press conference. “Saturday’s match doesn’t hurt us, we need balance and the two competitions must be distinguished.
“We are fighting for alle the objectives, now the Champions League begins and we arrive with enthusiasm.
“But we are aware of the difficulties we face tomorrow.”
Chiellini said the Portuguese giants ‘defend well’ and expects a ‘physical’ battle.
“They’re a team that defends well and concedes few goals,” he said. “They have quality on the sides and up front.
“They are a physical side and must be taken seriously. We will have to avoid banging against the wall.”
Andrea Pirlo has four big names for two positions in the heart of the defence and Chiellini said the players are ‘always ready’ when called upon.
“We are four centre-backs and we are really strong, all with different characteristics,” he said. “That’s the coach’s business, we must always be ready.
“We must be aware that two out of four will be on the bench. In recent months we have rotated but there has always been a great atmosphere.”
Chiellini said the Bianconeri must ‘avoid making the same mistakes’ from recent years, when Juventus have been eliminated in the last 16 and the quarter-finals.
“Tomorrow it will be emotional, but we experienced a similar thing in the Coppa Italia against Inter,” he continued. “In the Champions League it’s tougher, because we know our opponents less.
“We have to avoid making the mistakes we have made in the recent years, as they cost us.”
The captain said he probably knows Leonardo Bonucci ‘better than I know my wife’ when asked about Pirlo’s different options at the back.
“Depending on the teammate who plays next to you, something always changes,” he said. “They are different characters.
“The training sessions help you improve the automatisms that are important.
“I know [Matthijs] De Ligt much better than a year and a half ago. The same goes for [Merih] Demiral. For Bonucci, by now, I think I know him better than I know my wife…”