17 March 2015
Massimiliano Allegri insists his team will not sit on their one-goal advantage when they line up against Borussia Dortmund in Wednesday evening’s crucial Champions League return leg clash.
Following their 2-1 home leg triumph in Turin, a goalless stalemate at the Westfalenstadion would be enough to see the Bianconeri through to the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite competition.
But Allegri is predicting another thrilling affair and says his men will more than likely need at least a goal to boost their chances of making the Champions League last eight for the second time in three seasons.
Discussing the clash in Dortmund, the 47-year-old began: “It will be an entertaining game and I’m fairly sure that it won’t end goalless, even though I hope I’m wrong. So to get through we’ll need to score at least one.
“We have a slight advantage on our side but we’re aware of the difficulties presented by the game and I think the same applies to Borussia. They have players with plenty of pace and are able to put you under great pressure. That’s why we need to play well from a technical standpoint and strike their weak areas.”
A positive result tomorrow night would set Juventus up for a barnstorming finish to a season that could bring more exciting twists and turns on the silverware front.
And Allegri claims the Bianconeri will not be found wanting for effort as they aim to continue their progression in all three remaining competitions.
“We’re now on the final straight and we want to get through to the next round of the Champions League. We also need to wrap up the league, which, despite our 14-point advantage, still isn’t done and dusted. In addition there’s also the Coppa Italia in which we can overturn the scoreline and reach the final.”
The boss concluded by admitting that he has yet to pinpoint his definitive defensive strategy for tomorrow’s game, revealing he could either go with three or four at the back.
The former would most likely see the nod given to Andrea Barzagli, who drew praise from Allegri for the way he performed during Saturday’s comeback game against Palermo.
“I still need to decide whether we’ll play with a back three or four. Barzagli’s in great shape and played extremely well in Palermo after eight months on the sidelines. We’ve welcomed back a player who we’ve missed both from a technical and tactical point of view.”
