[ad_1]
Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo refuted suggestions that Barça are in crisis and refused to place Cristiano Ronaldo above Lionel Messi before the clash.
Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo dismissed the idea that Barcelona is a club in crisis and refused to classify bianconeri star Cristiano Ronaldo as a superior player to Lionel Messi before their clash in the Champions League.
Barcelona has a 100% record in the Champions League, but 12 points behind the Atlético leader in LaLiga
Juventus face a Barça still reeling from last Saturday’s shocking 2-1 loss to newly promoted Cádiz in LaLiga, which left them 12 points behind leaders Atlético de Madrid after 10 games.
Ronald Koeman’s team, however, has been impeccable in the Champions League with five wins in five Group G games, including a 2-0 win in Turin in October.
Juve’s only victory at the Camp Nou in the Champions League was in April 2003 (2-1), having failed to win on either of their last two trips there in the competition.
Pirlo: “I don’t believe in the crisis in Barcelona”
The Italians have not scored in their last four games against Barça and Pirlo said they are not on the brink of collapse, despite an internal problem.
“I don’t believe in the crisis in BarcelonaPirlo said at a press conference. The club has a new coach who is putting his ideas together. We know you have a great team.
“They change their coach but they always go out to the field to play. They have to find the best solutions and put the players in the best conditions to perform at their best.
“But you play every three days and it is also difficult for them. They are a great team and they will also recover in the League. “
Messi and Ronaldo have previously met in five Champions League matches, with Messi 3-0 ahead of the Portuguese superstar in terms of goals.
Tuesday’s game will be his first match of the competition since the May 2011 semi-final between Barcelona and Real Madrid and Ronaldo’s first as a Juve player.
“It’s a shame to say if one is better than the other” – Pirlo on the comparisons between Messi and Ronaldo
On the eve of the match, Barcelona coach Koeman diplomatically refused to classify Messi as a superior player to Ronaldo, and his Juventus counterpart did the same.
“Koeman is correct in saying that it is not fair to say who is betterPirlo explained. They have put on a show and have been doing it for 15 years. They have shared the Ballon d’Or for the last 15 years.
“It’s a shame to say if one is better than the other. They are phenomena that make millions of fans rejoice every time they take to the field, it is not fair to say who is better. You have to thank them both because they are good at soccer.
Messi had some problems this summer wanting to stay in Barcelona. But in matches he has always proved his worth, so more than on a technical level I think it is a mental problem.
“We don’t want to get in trouble, though, let’s leave Barcelona and Messi talking about these things. “
Pirlo hints at Buffon’s start against Barcelona
Pirlo hinted that veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is in line to play against Barça, having returned to training after a thigh problem.
He said: “Gigi is better. She has recovered from her injury. Tomorrow he could be in the game because he deserves such an important stage and I could play. “
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
[ad_2]
