Friday, 5 June 2015

Barcelona have a weakness

The Bianconeri boss insists Luis Enrique's star-
studded side have their "faults" but admitted that
the Old Lady has lost a great player in Giorgio
Chiellini
Massimiliano Allegri is adamant that "second
favourites" Juventus can exploit Barcelona's
"weaknesses" in Saturday's Champions League
final.
Both sides are bidding to complete a
treble in
Berlin but the Bianconeri are considered clear
underdogs on account of their opponents stellar
attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and
Neymar, who have racked up a record-breaking
120 goals between this season.
However, Allegri insists that he is not solely
concentrating on shutting down Barca's forward
line, claiming that Juve fully intend to exploit the
Catalans' deficiencies elsewhere.
"We need to be good against a great team but, like
all teams, they do have faults – and weaknesses,"
he told reporters on Friday.
"How do you stop Barcelona? We need to think
how to score. We need to be technically skilled
because they're a technical team and attack is
their best weapon so we need to be very, very
good at that.
"We must stay concentrated for 90 minutes. We
need to be mentally strong and turn things around,
because we're second favourites to Barcelona.
"But the team is very calm and focused. It should
be a great game; as with all Champions League
finals, we'll need some luck, and we’ll need to
work for that."
Juve's cause has not been aided by the withdrawal
of Giorgio Chiellini, who had been set to partner
Leonardo Bonucci at the back but has instead been
ruled out by a calf problem.
Allegri admitted that the withdrawal came as a
bitter blow but he is nonetheless confident given
his faith in his defensive cover.
"We're very sorry for what happened to Chiellini
but I guess it was meant to be," the former AC
Milan boss stated.
"We lost a player who had been great for us since
the start of the season.
"[Andrea] Barzagli and [Angelo] Ogbonna are both
fit; if Barzagli feels okay he's going to play,
otherwise it's Ogbonna."
Allegri also pointed out that defeat would not be a
disaster for Juve, given that they are appearing in
their first final since their 2003 penalty shootout
yet now look poised to reclaim their once regular
place among Europe's elite.
"We started this season with an important
objective – to get to the quarter-finals," he added.
"Now we've got to the final, and we have to be
first.
"But regardless of the outcome tomorrow, we've
had an extraordinary season; apart from the league
title and the 10th Coppa Italia, which had been
missing for 20 years, we have to consider the
consolidation of the team.
"This is important because it's important to build
some momentum in Europe.
"But of the two teams will win a treble in Berlin,
either Juventus or Barcelona. Hopefully us."

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