European showdown determined to cause another
upset, after stunning Real Madrid in the semis
Claudio Marchisio insists Juventus go into the
Champions League final with no fear - despite
facing an in-form Barcelona in Berlin.
Both sides have wrapped up domestic doubles
heading into this weekend's showpiece final, with
Barcelona's superstar front three of Lionel Messi,
Luis Suarez and Neymar in ominous form as they
beat Athletic Bilbao to lift the Copa del Rey on
Saturday.
A stunning Messi run and finish provided the
highlight of a 3-1 Barca win, but Marchisio is
confident Juventus can hold their own against Luis
Enrique's impressive side.
"We're happy because, if we look at the start of the
season, no one was betting on us to reach the
final," the midfielder said in a news conference on
Monday. "We're enjoying the week but focusing
and preparing hard because we're facing a great
team.
"We have to be focused, [we are] facing a great
team with three great strikers, [who have scored]
120 goals - we know their potential, but we work
hard, we have motivation and have to think about
preparing hard for the match.
"We have expectations and want to show our best
potential, while respecting a great squad like
Barcelona - but we do not fear them."
Top scorer Carlos Tevez is likely to be key if
Juventus are to lift the title for a third time and
Marchisio has nothing but praise for the Argentine
forward, who has fired the Bianconeri to two Serie
A titles since joining from Manchester City in the
summer of 2013.
He added: "What can we say about Carlos? Since
he came here, he has been exceptional.
"He had been presented in many wrong ways,
many thought he's a player that creates problems
but he was really humble.
"He's one of the main strengths of the squad. He's
fundamental for us."
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