20 February 2016
Andrea Barzagli says the Bianconeri are expecting a tough encounter against Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 first leg, but is backing the Juventus Stadium factor and the team’s battling qualities to push them towards a positive result.
With wins over Borussia Dortmund, Monaco and Real Madrid propelling Juventus towards the competition’s final hurdle last term, the 35-year-old says the Old Lady’s big-game experience will also count in their favour as they aim to gain a first-leg foothold next week.
Speaking to Jtv, Barzagli began: “We know that Bayern are one of the three best teams in the world, but we’re playing at home and Juventus Stadium will give us a real boost. Every team has its weaknesses and it’s our job to find them.
“We’ll give it a good go and be ready for the battle. When you play two-legged games and the first is at home, it’s crucial you come away with a good result in the first encounter. We know we’ll face some difficult moments, but we’re used to playing these kinds of matches.”
Barzagi was speaking the day after the 0-0 away draw with in-form Bologna, a night when Juventus saw their 15-match Serie A winning streak come to an end.
And like Massimiliano Allegri, Leonardo Bonucci and Alvaro Morata, who all spoke in the wake of the stalemate, the Tuscan-born stopper was philosophical when analysing an evening where defences ruled supreme.
He added: “It was a really difficult game, we had little space in which to operate and both teams did well at the back, meaning goalscoring chances were few and far between. Nobody has won easily at the Dall’Ara, and some of the big teams have come away empty-handed.”
