MY ACCOUNT
Massimiliano Allegri is confident Juventus “will be fine” against Benfica on Tuesday, even with their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.
A shock defeat to Maccabi Haifa last time out has given Juve no room for error, with anything less than victory in Lisbon resulting in their elimination from Europe’s elite club competition.
Even with a win this week, the Bianconeri would need another result against Paris Saint-Germain while hoping Benfica slip up at Maccabi.
Heading into matchday five, though, Allegri has no concerns, saying in Monday’s news conference: “Tomorrow, I think it will be fine. I may be wrong, but I’m confident.
“We have only one result [to chase]; we are not yet eliminated from the Champions League, but neither have we qualified for the Europa League.
“Two games, six points to go, and our fate does not depend only on us. Benfica, on the other hand, are the owners of their own destiny.”
Defender Alex Sandro is similarly backing Juve to “prove our worth”.
“This game has a great value,” he said. “Only the victory counts. We are here to win and play a great game. We are growing. And we know you can’t go wrong anymore.
“We will go on the pitch to prove our worth. We hope to give Benfica their first defeat. I know them; some are very strong. It will be a very difficult game. There are players who can make the difference at any time.”
