Marcello Lippi believes Juventus will have to ‘defend very well’, but can beat Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The former Bianconeri boss was the mastermind behind their last appearance in a semi-final of this competition, achieving a 4-3 aggregate victory over the same opponents, and he has some advice for this Juve side.
“I expect a game with a lot of conviction and confidence,” Lippi told TuttoJuve.
Marcello Lippi believes Juventus will have to ‘defend very well’, but can beat Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The former Bianconeri boss was the mastermind behind their last appearance in a semi-final of this competition, achieving a 4-3 aggregate victory over the same opponents, and he has some advice for this Juve side.
“I expect a game with a lot of conviction and confidence,” Lippi told TuttoJuve.
“I expect realism because of the awareness of the strength of their opponents, but also great belief in their chances.
“Juventus will have to defend very well against these great champions, and when I say that I mean being compact as a team, not just in defence.
“Everyone will know that they have to defend, with the knowledge that they have the weapons to create big chances, because all the big teams give their opponents something.
“It will take great solidity in defending, and great skill in taking advantage of the opportunities which there will surely be.
“That’s the kind of game I expect.
“I think they can do it, but clearly there should be no mistakes. They must give 150 per cent physically and psychologically.”
The World Cup winning Coach also reflected on that 2003 meeting, in which his side overcame a 2-1 first leg deficit by winning 3-1 in Turin.
“I remember in particular, that in the two days leading up to the game, we had prepared a few things to limit Zidane, and deny him space.
“However, while training and preparing those things I realised it would distort us a little, so on the morning of the game I told the players to forget what I’d been saying for the last few days!
“I told them to play the game the way we always did, trying to make the most of our attributes without thinking about the opponents.”