Barzagli faces Sporting on a high after morale boost in Naples

Juventus centre-back Andrea Barzagli has been encouraged by his side’s 1-0 victory over Napoli in Serie A last Friday, as they prepare to face Olympiakios in tonight’s final match in Group D

Needing a victory to ensure qualification along with Barcelona, Barzagli said: “Now we are calm. Such victories [in Naples] are good for us and our morale. We needed it ahead of a very important encounter against Olympiacos.

“Tuesday’s match is really crucial for us. One of the season’s basic objectives wastomakeitpast the group stage of the Champions League. It won’t be an easy game. Olympiakos are a physical team who defended well in our match in Turin.

“They are playing at home and will have the fans on their side. We must be very focused and not concede goals.”

If Barcelona, who are already assured of top spot, defeat Sporting Lisbon, that would also guarantee Juve’s progress and Barca coach Ernesto Valverde is aware of his responsibilities in maintaining fair competition. Valverde said he could shuffle his pack for the visit of Sporting Lisbon but refused to reveal whether Lionel Messi will be among those rested.

Sporting still have a chance of pipping Juventus to second spot, lying one point behind the Italian side.

With a testing Laliga trip to Villarreal coming up on Sunday Valverde may be loathe to risk star players tonight, but he says they have a duty to the competition and fans.

He said: “It’s a game where we’re not playing for anything from a qualification point of view, but we know that our opponents will be coming to win and we like the Champions League and we have an obligation to our public.

“We could make changes, but we know the importance of the game.”

Giving star man Messi, left, who is three away from 100 Champions League goals, a night off ahead of a tricky end to 2017, which includes a trip to Real Madrid on 23 December, seems the most logical course of action, but Valverde is keeping his cards close to his chest.

He said: “It’s clear that [Sporting boss] Jorge Jesus respects Messi a lot for what he represents and if he doesn’t play it will be better for them. [But] we’ll see what happens.”