Juventus are in UEFA Champions League Group Stage action for the final time this year, and will see out Matchday 6 at home to Swedish opponents Malmö.
Ahead of Wednesday evening’s encounter at the Allianz Stadium, kicking off at 18h45 CET, Coach Massimiliano Allegri and Adrien Rabiot spoke to the media ahead of the clash in Turin.
MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI
TEAM NEWS
"Tomorrow Mattia Perin will play in goal, Daniele Rugani, Alex Sandro and Adrien Rabiot will also all start. I hope that I can give some minutes to Mattia de Sciglio too. As for the rest, we'll see, we also have to play well in order to prepare for Saturday.
"Dejan Kulusevski will be back next week. Both Koni De Winter and Fabio Miretti will be called up for the game, Matias Soulé cannot be on List B. We hope to give some minutes to these guys who deserve it. Arthur could also play tomorrow.
“Paulo Dybala needs to play and tomorrow he will. Leonardo Bonucci could also be another who starts."
THE MATCH
"We are a little more organised on the pitch, but it's not certain that we will use the same formation from the last few matches throughout the season. For example: tomorrow we have players available to play out on the wings.
“The important thing is to approach the game well, to express ourselves, to play a good game and win. We're behind in the league and the top four are moving very fast. We have to keep winning, step by step, then we'll see.
"Winning is important, because when you win games you are more satisfied and you work with greater serenity. I think the favourites for this edition of the Champions League are: Liverpool, Bayern, Manchester City, Real and PSG.
"We have to create the conditions to do better than in the last two years in the Champions League. We have to get into the Last 16 in good condition and then another tournament begins. On Monday we'll see who we draw and you also need some luck to go your way."
ADRIEN RABIOT
AIMING FOR TOP SPOT
“We can still reach first place, and so we have to win tomorrow. I prefer playing in central midfield, but I can adapt and I'll play where is needed in order to help the team, even on the wing, according to what the coach asks of me.
"We played a good game in Malmö. They have strong players and are league champions.
"We expected to be higher up the table in Serie A, because we are Juve and we play to win. In the last few games we did well, trying to play with more quality. It's a step forward and let's continue like this, there are still many more games."
PERSONAL IMPROVEMENTS
"I've spoken with the coach, I need to score more. This season it hasn't happened yet and I need to get more assists in order to give something more. So far I've done some good things, other times not, but in general I have grown, even tactically.
"I've been a professional for 10 years, I know how football is, I'm calm. I have to focus only on the pitch and on what I have to do, giving everything for the team. Playing well is the only way to respond."