Fatih Terim has warned Juventus that they need to switch their mentality for next season or else fall short in the Champions League once again.
The Bianconeri are comfortable out in front in Serie A and on course for a third consecutive Scudetto, but are competing in the Europa League for the second half of this season after elimination at the group stage of UEFA’s premier competition.
Fatih Terim has warned Juventus that they need to switch their mentality for next season or else fall short in the Champions League once again.
The Bianconeri are comfortable out in front in Serie A and on course for a third consecutive Scudetto, but are competing in the Europa League for the second half of this season after elimination at the group stage of UEFA’s premier competition.
That elimination came at the benefit of Terim’s former side Galatasaray, and a result secured in a final group match between the two teams played over two days due to difficult weather.
“I did not understand the protests of the Bianconeri. Juve had drawn with Galatasaray in Turin,” began Terim to the Gazzetta dello Sport, before reflecting on why the Old Lady may have fallen short.
“Juve in the Champions League are a different team, they lose value. The Bianconeri are in love with the idea of the Scudetto. In that they are different to Milan, who start every year with the goal of winning in Europe.
“But, after winning a third title, next year Buffon and his teammates must put the Cup at the centre of their thoughts.
“Only in this way can they win the Champions League. For the Champions League, you must give up something.”
According to the former Fiorentina and Milan Coach, though, Juve remain a capable outfit.
“Pirlo is calcio, Buffon is a goalkeeper who is the strongest in the world, Chiellini is my prototype of a defender, Tevez is a warrior and Vidal is a phenomenon. I like Vucinic, even though he has played little.
“And this explains why Juve are strong. It means that Conte has available to him players of world value.
“They say that Conte is not nice. But I appreciate winning Coaches, not cute Coaches. And Conte is a winner.”
Antonio Conte’s side are in Turkey today for the second leg of their Europa League Round of 32 clash with Trabzonspor.
“In the first leg it should have ended 1-1. With a two-goal advantage, Juve have progression in hand, but they need to be careful.
“Trabzonspor will have a strong atmosphere, and if they get a goal early on then qualification will be in the balance.”
Should Juve make it through, they could meet Fiorentina in the Last 16.
“I want to be at the Artemio Franchi for the second leg. I’m looking at my calendar to see if I can come for a couple of days.
“With a true Gomez, Fiorentina can move ahead. Montella is a very good Coach, he teaches a football that I like.
“Fiorentina-Juve is a derby, and the strongest team does not always win. Sometimes the heart wins. Fiorentina with 40,000 fans at the Franchi, anything can happen.”