Juventus coach Massimiliano
Allegri on Monday denied his side have a complex about European
competition and said Tuesday's Champions League clash against
Olympiacos in Turin is a "must-win" encounter.
While dominating Serie A by winning three consecutive
league titles under Allegri's predecessor Antonio Conte, now
Italy boss, they have consistently failed to make an impact in
Europe's premier club competition.
They have continued to have problems in Europe so far this
season, having lost away games at Olympiacos and Atletico Madrid
and are joint bottom in Group A alongside Sweden's Malmo.
"I wouldn't say that we're suffering from a European
complex," Allegri, whose side pulled three points clear at the
top of Serie A by beating Empoli 2-0 away on Saturday after
second-placed AS Roma lost at Napoli, told a news conference.
"We've put in excellent performances so far and didn't
deserve to leave empty-handed from Madrid and Athens.
"In the last game (at Olympiacos), we missed chances in
front of goal and their goalkeeper had a blinder. We've got
three points on the board and need to put this right".
Allegri conceded that Juve need to beat the Greeks, who
have six points and share the Group A lead with Atletico, to
have a realistic chance of progressing to the knockout stage of
Europe's premier club competition.
"Our qualification chances will pretty much be decided
over the 95 minutes (on Tuesday)," he said.
"Anything can happen in football, but I'd say it's a
must-win game as far as we're concerned.
"The fans have been brilliant so far. Tomorrow we'll all
have to dig deep and produce a great atmosphere.
"You always need to be positive and there's every reason
to be so: we're capable of winning the game".
Allegri said left wingback Kwadwo Asamoah and central
defender Angelo Ogbonna were injury doubts for Tuesday after
taking knocks in Empoli, but he added that Simone Padoin was
ready to step in if either is unavailable.
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