Allegri and Danilo: "We are focused and ready"

Juventus are back in continental action on Wednesday night as they prepare to take on Russian counterparts Zenit St Petersburg in Matchday 4 of this season’s UEFA Champions League Group Stage.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri and Danilo were present at the pre-match press conference ahead of the mid-week match-up at the Allianz Stadium.

Below are the thoughts they shared:

MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI

"Tomorrow, we can reach our first target of the season [qualifying for the Round of 16] and achieving it would be a wonderful thing, with two games to spare. It would then allow us to focus more on Serie A. Right now we are all angry and upset. In five days we threw away what we had built up in the last month and a half. We must reflect and work to improve.

"It's not a question of the defensive set-up, rather we need to improve the defensive phase in various moments of the match. The only solution right now is to work and keep quiet. It's a sense of responsibility that we must all have, rebuilding one brick at a time. I have an intelligent team that understands, without me needing to raise my voice in difficult moments.

"Self-esteem and trust must be maintained in our forwards. They need to not over-think and to keep working hard. The players who are currently unavailable are Moise Kean, Mattia De Sciglio and Aaron Ramsey, whilst both Federico Chiesa and Matthijs de Ligt are fine. I'll decide who plays tomorrow.

“Zenit are a side with technical players who know how to score. However, it's in our hands tomorrow."

DANILO

"This match comes at the right time for us. We need to have the same anger in both the Champions League and in Serie A. Tomorrow will be a difficult match and we need to take it on in the right way.

"The team is united. We are focused on our goals. Now, we need to give something to Juve and get back up together.

"Before Inter, we went four games in a row without conceding a goal, so it means that we know how to do it. We have to go back to defending as if our lives depended on it.

"The Champions League must be a goal for us. We have the experience and the quality to try to win it."