Porto impressive at home

“Porto are used to playing at the very highest level and know how to win games in the Champions League. They haven’t lost since 27 September, have only conceded 14 goals all season and have beaten Bayern Munich and Chelsea here in recent years. There are no guaranteed results or surefire favourites at this stage of the competition. Playing away from home first means that scoring an away goal is absolutely crucial.

“The best sides in Europe find ways of beating you both home and away. Porto have been rock solid at the back this term and, in that respect, we’re expecting an “un-Portuguese” challenge tomorrow night. Of the sides that qualified as runners-up, they are probably the toughest one we could have faced.”

Team news

“Bonucci won’t be part of the squad tomorrow night. Having consulted the board, I took the decision to leave him out for the good of the club, supporters and team. Leo is a sensitive and intelligent man and, as a key player for Juventus, he understands the motives behind the call.

“Chiellini and Barzagli are in good shape and, like everyone else who has travelled here, are raring to go. Further forward, Mandzukic, Dybala, Higuain, Cuadrado and Pjanic will all start.”

Focus paramount

“We can’t afford to lose sight of our objective here. All we need to think about is playing 180 minutes of football of the highest quality and giving ourselves the best possible chance of reaching the next round. This tie will be far from straightforward.

“We’re in the middle of an intense run of fixtures and, as a result, I’m looking for every individual in this squad to deliver and stand together as a group. We were able to make changes and rest some players against Palermo, which did us some good.

The fact that we can rotate the squad and continue to pick up wins is a sign of the quality we have at our disposal. Between now and next Tuesday, we have three massive games to prepare for against Porto, Empoli in the league and Napoli in the Coppa Italia.”

Source:   juventus.com

Digging deep at the Dragao

“We go into tomorrow’s match in very good form as is evident from the results gained and performances that we’ve been putting in of late.

“We’re aware of how important this match is and the strength of our opponents because Porto are a side that, in recent years, have always met their objectives in the Champions League, whether that’s been to reach the last 16 or quarter-finals.

“They’ve plenty of experience in Europe and for that we respect them. We know that we’ll need to dig deep to earn our qualification to the next round, as they won’t be letting up one inch.”

A reunion with Casillas

“I’m delighted to be meeting Iker (Casillas) again. He’s a friend and an opponent that I’ve always held in tremendous esteem and I continue to do so, especially when you consider that he had to make a strong decision to leave Real Madrid and get his career back on track with Porto. I’ve seen him in action recently and he seems to be in top form and I hope for his sake that he’ll play two great games against us.”

André Silva and the attack

“André Silva will certainly pose a great threat. I know a lot about him and I hope he can realise his dreams in the game, but obviously not at our expense in this Champions League tie.

“I need to be right on top of my game in order to keep a clean sheet because Porto are a side that can make opposition keepers despair at times. Altogether as a team we need to put in a top defensive display tomorrow night.”

Champions League no ordinary affair

“For each and every footballer, playing in the Champions League is a very different experience to the league or domestic cups, which is normal because it’s the most difficult competition of the lot and one in which you want to impress the most.

“Obviously, having the opportunity to lift the trophy at the end is the most important thing. I’ve had the fortune that, over the years, the club has assembled a squad capable of going all the way.”

Porto manager, Nuno Espirito Santo believes that his side has what it takes to beat Juventus tomorrow night at the Estadio do Dragao and earn the advantage in their Champions League last 16 tie.

“This is a huge match between two great European clubs,” Espirito Santo opened. “We’ve our sights set on victory and we’re improving all the time. A full stadium will help our cause no doubt. The fans will be coming in their droves to cheer us on for the win.

“Since August, after the Champions League play-offs, we were in quite a difficult situation, but we overcame many challenges and consistently raised our game. We’re now in a perfect position to take on the Bianconeri. We feel ready and are determined to beat them.”

Porto striker and top scorer, André Silva, echoed his manager’s words that the Dragons were in fine fettle ahead of tomorrow’s contest, whilst admitting they’d need to be at their best in order to seal success in front of their supporters.

“We’ve done our homework on Juventus. They’re a top side and very hard to beat with a dangerous forward line.

“They’ve great players, but then so do we. We know how to click as a team, to change systems of play and react to certain situations. We’ll look to apply the pressure from the first whistle tomorrow, but we must also focus on our defending and hope that things go right for us. We’re confident of winning.”

The Bianconeri’s preparations for Wednesday evening’s Champions League last 16 first-leg tie against FC Porto have officially moved on to Portuguese soil after the squad touched down at Porto International Airport at 17.45 CET.

They will now take in the surroundings of the Estadio Do Dragao during an official walk around, with coach Massimiliano Allegri and captain Gianluigi Buffon scheduled to talk to the media shortly afterwards at 18.45.

Supporters can keep track of all the very latest from northern Portugal by following the club’s international Twitter and Snapchat (profile name: Juventus) accounts.

After holding today’s training session in Vinovo, Massimiliano Allegri named a 23-man squad for Wednesday night’s Champions League meeting with Porto at the Estadio Do Dragao (kick-off at 20.45 CET).

The Tuscan tactician’s selection is as follows: