Claudio Marchisio says Juventus are aware of Atletico Madrid’s strengths, in preview of what he labels as the Bianconeri’s ‘game of the year’.
Juve head into Tuesday’s Champions League meeting aware that a draw will be enough to book passage to the Last 16, whilst a win by two clear goals would do so in first place.
For one of the home side’s party, the visiting Spanish are a credible and familiar opponent.
Claudio Marchisio says Juventus are aware of Atletico Madrid’s strengths, in preview of what he labels as the Bianconeri’s ‘game of the year’.
Juve head into Tuesday’s Champions League meeting aware that a draw will be enough to book passage to the Last 16, whilst a win by two clear goals would do so in first place.
For one of the home side’s party, the visiting Spanish are a credible and familiar opponent.
“Regardless of preparing ourselves yesterday, today and tomorrow, we know them,” Marchisio declared in today's Press conference.
“We already met them in the reverse fixture, we know their characteristics, they are very strong on set pieces.
“It's important to remember that Atletico Madrid have won four games out of five in the Champions League, and only conceded a goal in the first game that they lost against Olympiacos.
“We saw how hard it was in the first game, even though we played a great match, so we know how hard it's going to be tomorrow evening regardless of the standings in the group.
“I am of the idea that we've got to take to the field and as always try and win the game, as in all games in Serie A as well as in the Champions League.”
The Italian international also believes that comparisons with last year, when Juventus crashed out of the group stage with a loss in the last game, are irrelevant.
“It's a different situation, a different game. Now let's think about this game that is really important.
“We want to progress to the next round, regardless of whether we come first or second. We want to be among the greatest of Europe so this is our target, regardless of the past.
“We worked hard and we worked well in these last few months to reach this point in the season.
“Now there's the most important game of the year no matter how you look at it and we can't get anything wrong.
“We've got the good fortune of playing this game at home, with our fans who will be on our side and that will warm up the ambience.
“So we are ready to face the game of the year.”
Juventus kick off against Atletico Madrid tomorrow at 20:45 Italian time, at the Juventus Stadium.