Former Milan man Gennaro Gattuso praises Olympiacos and their Coach Michel, but believes Juventus are stronger than the Greek outfit.
The Bianconeri take on Olympiacos in Turin tonight in what’s being billed as must-win game.
Former Milan man Gennaro Gattuso praises Olympiacos and their Coach Michel, but believes Juventus are stronger than the Greek outfit.
The Bianconeri take on Olympiacos in Turin tonight in what’s being billed as must-win game.
Massimiliano Allegri’s men have lost their last two Champions League ties, including defeat in Athens two weeks ago, and anything but a win tonight would see them staring down the barrel of elimination.
Gattuso is currently Coach at OFI Crete in the Superleague Greece, a competition which Olympiacos won last year.
While the World Cup winner warns that Michel’s team will not arrive in Italy looking for a draw, he sees the Old Lady as the stronger side.
“[Michel] said they [Olympiacos] will play to win, and they will. Olympiacos have got an entirely new winning mentality,” Gattuso explained to Tuttosport.
“In two years Michel has changed the face of Olympiacos. It’s no longer a ‘Greek’ team. Michel is a very knowledgeable Coach, and he’s implemented the Spanish philosophy.
“He likes attacking football. Keep the ball, raise the tempo. That being said, Juve are stronger. Maybe even much stronger.
“Juve showed in Athens that they have more quality. Only [Olympiacos’] goalkeeper and some bad luck stopped them.
“Do Juve become negative in the Champions League? Yes, they like a totally different team.
“It’s basically a matter of mentality. For too many years we’ve talked about the difficulties in Europe and their will to win, the players must have absorbed these criticisms.
“That now becomes a problem, a problem in the head. Juve have to try to beat the Greeks with intensity, but also with serenity.”
Gattuso, who also plied his trade for Salernitana and Rangers discussed the merits of the Bianconeri’s playing squad, and just how far he thinks they can go in Europe.
“We’ll see what happens in the second round [if Juve beat Olympiacos].
“If the draw is favourable and the squad is physically fresh in the spring then they could be in the Champions League even longer.
“But it’s not enough just to have good players – Juve have them. You also need a little bit of luck.
“[Paul] Pogba reminds me of [Patrick] Vieira. [Arturo] Vidal is more like me in temperament, but whereas I was a purely destructive player, he scores more. He’s a midfielder of the future, as [Marco] Tardelli was 30 years ago.
“[Andrea] Pirlo is not washed up. He can still contribute a lot. I often speak with him and Allegri. There were no particular problems after what happened at Milan, because Pirlo leaving was a corporate decision.
“I like [Alvaro] Morata a lot, he has speed and technical skill, and he’s a goalscorer. [Carlos] Tevez has become the emblem of Juventus, he has class and never gives up. If you want to explain to a youngster what Juventus is, just say ‘look at the Argentinean and learn’.
“As for [Gigi] Buffon, it’s too easy to comment on his value as a goalkeeper. I’ll speak about the man.
“Dear Gigi, you are an extraordinary person, humble and intelligent. You’ll always have my respect.”