Jardim: “This competition means so much”

Tomorrow’s will be Monaco’s 17^th Champions League match of the season, including the preliminary rounds.

Standing in the Red and Whites’ way of a potential 19^th game in the competition are Juventus – a team that the Monegasque team’s manager Leonardo Jardim admits will make life tough for them over the two legs of their semi-final. 

Leonardo Jardim

Speaking at today’s press conference from the Stade Louis II, Jardim opened: “The Bianconeri are a great side with bags of experience and we’re expecting a really difficult couple of games against them.

“We’ll need to be on our toes in defence, while attempting to hit them on the break.

“I know that my players will be 100% ready, both physically and mentally, tomorrow. It’s important that we establish a first-leg lead to help our cause when we return to Turin.

“Ever since the preliminary rounds, we’ve played 16 matches in the Champions League this season. It’s a competition that means a lot to us.”

JEMERSON

Joining Jardim for today’s press conference, Brazilian defender Jemerson echoed his boss’ words about the importance of exploiting home advantage in the first leg:

“Tomorrow we hope to lay the foundations for reaching the Champions League final. In order to do so, we’ll try to prevent Juve from scoring an away goal. We know that we’ll need to be wary of them on the counter-attack.

“We too, however, have real firepower up front in Radamel Falcao. He’s a defender’s nightmare and a truly important player for us.”

Rounding up the press conference, Jemerson admitted he could not wait to pit his wits against the Bianconeri, concluding: “You’re always extra motivated for matches like these. It’s a pleasure playing against a team of Juve’s calibre.”