Thomas Siniecki, Media365: published on Monday, September 16, 2024 at 3:54 p.m.
Any misstep might have fewer consequences than before, but it is probably a trap to think that way.
The change of format does not imply a change of schedule. There will still be two matches at 6:45 p.m. to kick off the big Champions League evenings (this will be the case, for example, for Brest in two weeks in Salzburg, on Tuesday, October 1), and while Young Boys – Aston Villa will certainly excite some, it is above all Juventus who will be closely watched as the first of the line on Tuesday at 6:45 p.m., against PSV Eindhoven. The coincidence of the programming means that Bologna, led to the C1 by Thiago Motta, also starts on Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. (against Shakhtar), but it is on the bench of the great Juve that the former PSG midfielder is now seated.
“We want to position ourselves as high as possible”
“There is no pressure, the history of the club is beautiful and very important,” replies the former Italian international, who is about to lose his former teammate Adrien Rabiot for good, when reminded that Juventus has not won the C1 since 1996 against Ajax (on penalties). Its second and last title after that of 1985, in the sad circumstances of Heysel against Liverpool on a penalty from Michel Platini. Two titles for a record of seven finals lost (1973, 1983, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2015, 2017)!
“We have a lot of supporters and things that have been done well, we are starting a completely different competition and we are focused on this match. Everything else counts relatively little, the important thing is to achieve a good performance. We want to place ourselves as high as possible and it starts on Tuesday, we have to compete and have this common idea that it is an important match. Our big objective is to be competitive against everyone.” The Turinese know their responsibilities in this shirt loaded with history, in a context which, after a very promising start, has already become a little heavier due to two consecutive 0-0 draws against Roma and especially at Empoli this weekend. Such is the lot of Juve, one of those ten or fifteen clubs in the world where the demand is absolutely permanent.
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