‘Juve have Pirlo and Pogba, but…’

Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos admits Juventus are the ‘strongest in Italy’, but sees their Champions League odds as ’50-50’.

The German team face a challenging first leg as they travel to the Juventus Stadium for tomorrow's Champions League Last 16.

Even so, the Bundesliga side’s Greek defender with previous Serie A experience expects his team not to be intimidated.

“Our Coach Jurgen Klopp gives us all faith,” Papastathopoulos has said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos admits Juventus are the ‘strongest in Italy’, but sees their Champions League odds as ’50-50’.

The German team face a challenging first leg as they travel to the Juventus Stadium for tomorrow's Champions League Last 16.

Even so, the Bundesliga side’s Greek defender with previous Serie A experience expects his team not to be intimidated.

“Our Coach Jurgen Klopp gives us all faith,” Papastathopoulos has said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Our team was built around his directions and we always try to impose our own game.

“That's exactly what we're planning on doing in Turin, even though Juventus are the strongest Italian team and they have some top players like [Andrea] Pirlo and [Paul] Pogba.

“I crossed paths with [Carlos] Tevez with Greece, but I never played against him.

“As for [his fellow striker Alvaro] Morata, I faced him last year against Real Madrid. Both of them are very strong.”

The 26-year-old was also asked about the German team's odds heading into this midweek.

“50-50 for us to earn a draw. We're back on track and we can do it.

“I remember Pirlo. I know him from his last year in Milan.

“One of the best of the decade in his role.

“He's also a great man. I remember that in Milanello he was always happy to help everyone.”