Lokomotiv Moscow coach Yuri Semin said his team is ready to attack Juventus and “every point is very important” in the Champions League.
Juve needed late goals from Paulo Dybala to turn the match around in Turin, eventually winning 2-1, and now Lokomotiv Moscow host the Italian champions looking to impose more trouble on the leaders of Group D.
“The excitement around this match is huge. If we can get some points, we have a good chance of playing in Europe in the spring,” said Semin at a press conference.
Lokomotiv Moscow coach Yuri Semin said his team is ready to attack Juventus and “every point is very important” in the Champions League.
Juve needed late goals from Paulo Dybala to turn the match around in Turin, eventually winning 2-1, and now Lokomotiv Moscow host the Italian champions looking to impose more trouble on the leaders of Group D.
“The excitement around this match is huge. If we can get some points, we have a good chance of playing in Europe in the spring,” said Semin at a press conference.
A third-place finish in the group behind Juve and Atletico Madrid would allow Lokomotiv Moscow to enter the Europa League.
“We want to create problems for Juventus. Every point is very important. We will fight for every ball, for every moment. But you need to play balanced football – otherwise it is difficult to control the Juventus attackers.
“We will maintain balance between defence and attack, but not everything is down to us – there is also an opposing team. If Juventus let us, we will attack more.
"It’s important for us to get whatever points we can. Predicting tactical movements before a game is a futile exercise.”
Lokomotiv have an important fixture against Krasnodar in the Russian league this weekend, but Semin claims they are only focused on the match against Juventus.
“The most important match is against Juventus and we are concentrating on the battle with the Bianconeri,” added the 72-year-old. “From the point of view of the squad, we are doing well. Joao Mario is fit, and we will have a few players back.
“We have played three out of six matches and we will add up the numbers on December 11, after the last match against Atletico Madrid. Surely, we possess a greater deal of experience since we are playing in the Champions League for the second season in a row.”
Lokomotiv forward Eder is at the same time looking forward to welcome his Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo to his home in Russia.
“It’s always nice to play against my international teammate and the best player in the world,” Eder said at a press conference. “I like to play at Stadion Lokomotiv – this is our home.
“This whole team feels the same, not just me. Tomorrow will be a great festive occasion. We will try to play good football.”
Juventus have won all three previous meetings with Lokomotiv and will qualify with another win. Lokomotiv, on the other hand, could already be out of the tournament, depending on the result between Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen in the other fixture.