Atletico Madrid Vs Juventus Champions League Group A
A relaxed Juventus squad took a stroll over the pitch at the Vicente
Calderon in Madrid on Tuesday, on the eve of their Champions League
clash with Atletico in the Spanish capital.
Massimiliano Allegri's men have a right to feel confident - they have won all five of their Serie A matches so far this season, without conceding a goal, and kicked off their Group A campaign with a 2-0 win over Swedish champions Malmo.
Argentine striker Carlos Tevez scored both goals and bagged another two at the weekend as Juve beat Atalanta 3-0, taking his tally for the season to six.
Allegri was at pains to highlight Atletico's strengths - particularly those of their coach Diego Simeone - at the pre-match press conference though, perhaps in an attempt to stave off any feeling of complacency.
"I think they (Atletico) are a team that reflects the personality of their coach," Allegri said. "When you see them playing, it's easy to identify many of (Diego) Simeone's characteristics, both as a player and as a coach. They play with solidarity, leaving little space to their opponents, they're bomb proof and capable of fighting for over 95 minutes."
"They will give us some trouble," he added.
Juve have yet to concede a goal in 540 minutes of football so far this season and much of the credit for that must go to veteran goalkeeper and team captain Gianluigi Buffon.
Last season there were times when it was whispered that the 36-year-old 'keeper was well past his best, but Buffon has come into the 2014-15 campaign with renewed vigour.
"I think it is going to be a beautiful match because it's an encounter between two teams of tradition," Buffon said. "We will face the game full of enthusiasm, and it will also give us many clues about how far can we go this season."
Juventus are unlikely to have everything go their way on Wednesday night however - Atletico have reason to be confident too, having won 17 of their last 19 games at the Vicente Calderon stadium in UEFA competition.
In addition, the 'Rojiblancos' warmed up for this match by brushing Sevilla aside 4-0 on Saturday to climb to third in La Liga, two points adrift of leaders Barcelona.
Massimiliano Allegri's men have a right to feel confident - they have won all five of their Serie A matches so far this season, without conceding a goal, and kicked off their Group A campaign with a 2-0 win over Swedish champions Malmo.
Argentine striker Carlos Tevez scored both goals and bagged another two at the weekend as Juve beat Atalanta 3-0, taking his tally for the season to six.
Allegri was at pains to highlight Atletico's strengths - particularly those of their coach Diego Simeone - at the pre-match press conference though, perhaps in an attempt to stave off any feeling of complacency.
"I think they (Atletico) are a team that reflects the personality of their coach," Allegri said. "When you see them playing, it's easy to identify many of (Diego) Simeone's characteristics, both as a player and as a coach. They play with solidarity, leaving little space to their opponents, they're bomb proof and capable of fighting for over 95 minutes."
"They will give us some trouble," he added.
Juve have yet to concede a goal in 540 minutes of football so far this season and much of the credit for that must go to veteran goalkeeper and team captain Gianluigi Buffon.
Last season there were times when it was whispered that the 36-year-old 'keeper was well past his best, but Buffon has come into the 2014-15 campaign with renewed vigour.
"I think it is going to be a beautiful match because it's an encounter between two teams of tradition," Buffon said. "We will face the game full of enthusiasm, and it will also give us many clues about how far can we go this season."
Juventus are unlikely to have everything go their way on Wednesday night however - Atletico have reason to be confident too, having won 17 of their last 19 games at the Vicente Calderon stadium in UEFA competition.
In addition, the 'Rojiblancos' warmed up for this match by brushing Sevilla aside 4-0 on Saturday to climb to third in La Liga, two points adrift of leaders Barcelona.
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