Juve looking for that ‘extra something’

BARCELONA: The red and blue shirts of Barcelona loom again for Massimiliano Allegri today as he looks to steer Juventus into the knock-out stage of the Champions League.

Allegri lost his first European final with Juventus in 2015, 3-1 against Barca. They also went down in last season’s decider, 4-1 against Real Madrid.

Juve did, however, beat Barca 3-0 on aggregate, drawing 0-0 in Spain, in last season’s quarter-finals.

In the current campaign the Spaniards won the home match 3-0 and now visit Turin’s Allianz Stadium, topping Group D three points clear of the Bianconeri.

Allegri’s history against Barca began as coach of AC Milan in 2011/12 with a draw and a defeat in the group phase, followed by a 3-1 aggregate elimination in the quarter-finals.

Allegri finally savoured victory the next season, beating the Blaugrana 2-0 in the round of 16, but suffered a 4-0 drubbing in the return match.

He again had no luck in 2013/14, with a 1-1 draw and a 3-1 away defeat in the group phase. Milan still advanced to the knock-out stage, but sacked Allegri in January and exited against Atletico Madrid on a 5-1 aggregate.

Today’s match may not be crucial for the Old Lady, but it provides a serious test as they face unusual inconsistencies in the home league they dominated for the past six seasons.

A 3-2 defeat at Sampdoria saw Juve slip to third place, four points behind Serie A leaders Napoli.

“We’re conceding too many goals, especially on the road,” Allegri said.

The coach is a staunch supporter of tight defending and cannot be pleased that his team has let in 14 goals in 13 matches, five more than a year ago.

Juve has scored more, boasting the best attack with 37 goals, nine more than last year, but seem to have lost the seamless connection between midfield and defence that had become their trademark.

Veteran centre-back Andrea Barzagli, a key contributor to Juve’s record of six straight titles, said before the big match with Barca: “We must not have the momentary lapses we’ve had. We need that extra something we haven’t always been able to show.

“We have plenty of quality, but what makes the difference is the desire and sacrifice.

“With Barcelona it will be difficult, but we must do it. It is crucial to go to the next round and so we can move forward in the season. There is nothing comparable to last year. It was another situation. Our opponents will obviously want to move forward too, but for us the challenge is really important,” said the 36-yearold Barzagli. – DPA