Juventus playmaker Andrea Pirlo has described Champions League semi-final opponents Real Madrid as the "most important club side in the world", but insists his team will face the holders without fear
Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo. Pic/Getty Images
Turin: Juventus playmaker Andrea Pirlo has described Champions League semi-final opponents Real Madrid as the "most important club side in the world", but insists his team will face the holders without fear. Less than 48 after clinching their fourth successive Serie A crown, Juve are re-focusing their efforts on Europe, where they are hoping to reach their first Champions League final since 2003.
Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo. Pic/Getty Images
Standing between them and a place in the showpiece, though, are Spanish giants Real, who were crowned European champions for a record 10th time last season. It is a tough test for Juve, who are still in the running for the treble this season, but Pirlo is in optimistic mood ahead of today's first leg in Turin.
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"We have the same chances as they do to progress," Pirlo said on his club's official website. "We weren't ready for the Champions League in previous years. But this team has gained experience and we know we can do well and play without fear. "Now that we are here, we want to go all the way. To win it would be a dream come true, for me and for my teammates."
Pirlo, who has played in seven European semi-finals and won the Champions League title twice at AC Milan under current Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, knows the Spaniards must be respected, though. The 35-year-old added: "Real are the most important club in the world. They have a lot of experience in this type of games and have a team of champions."
Juve are unbeaten at home in European competition this season and have won five and lost just one of their seven meetings with Real in Turin. The previous time the two superpowers met in Italy was in last season's group stages, with the game ending 2-2.
First leg crucial
"The first leg is crucial and we'll need to play with intelligence as we have done in recent years," Pirlo said. "We'll be mindful but also show some swagger, because we have a dream to fulfil and nothing to lose, but also aware that there's a second leg to follow."
The hosts will be without midfielder Paul Pogba, who has been sidelined since March with a hamstring injury. Real go into the contest without the services of midfielder Luka Modric and striker Karim Benzema because of injuries as they look to end a run of seven successive trips to Italy without a win. However, Ancelotti does have Gareth Bale back.
Ancelotti's presence will help us: Kroos
Real Madrid's midfielder Toni Kroos believes the presence of manager Carlo Ancelotti in their dugout will help them against Juventus. Ancelotti was in charge of Juve from 1999 until 2001 before joining Milan. "We have an Italian coach that knows Juventus very well," Real midfielder Toni Kroos said. "I think that will help us. We are going to do all that we can to reach the final knowing that no club has managed to defend the Champion League crown. This is our biggest challenge."
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