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| Wilkins aware of Juve threat |
Friday 19 December, 2008 |
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Former Milan star and current Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins gives his inside view on the “terrific” Champions League tie with Juventus.
“The news of the draw was brought out to us on the training pitch, and it's terrific,” said Wilkins on the official Chelsea website.
“It was always going to be a tough old game no matter who we played. Juventus are a great club, one of the biggest in European football and we are looking forward to it immensely.”
The first leg is at Stamford Bridge on February 25 and Juve have home advantage on March 10 because they topped their group.
“Juventus are playing in quite a small stadium but the atmosphere will be fantastic and I am looking forward to it.”
Wilkins warns that Chelsea fans have every reason to be worried after they were beaten 3-1 by Roma in the first phase of the competition.
“Roma were a big test for us and I am sure they will be for Arsenal as well, but Juventus are a better team, they are higher than Roma in the table.
“We are under no illusion it is going to very difficult for us, they will be well-organised, they have some good players, none more famous than [Alessandro] Del Piero, who seems to have been reborn this year.
“He is scoring some great goals, including free kicks which are his trademark.”
Juventus have been in Serie B and this is their first Champions League campaign since the Calciopoli scandal, so the motivation for veterans is immense.
“Pavel Nedved is still going strong at 36, he can hurt you and it will also be pleasant for everybody to see the top two goalkeepers in world football playing on the same pitch. [Gianluigi] Buffon is a world class keeper,” concluded Wilkins.
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