olympiakos     Olympiakos                                                 V                                          Juventus         juventus

19:45 UK


Champions League – Game Day 3  [22nd October 2014]  – Stadio Georgios Karaiskáki

Max Allegri said the game against Olympiakos is ” Not decisive, but important” whilst confirming Arturo Vidal will start tomorrow night in Juve’s Group A match against the Greek champions.

“I brought 18 players, plus the goalkeepers, and they are all available,” noted the Coach during his pre-match press conference.

“I have several choices still to make. I can be sure of the four defenders, but that doesn’t mean I will play with four at the back, plus Tevez and Vidal.

“Arturo is doing better and the last few days training in Turin improved his fitness levels. Tomorrow I hope to see an excellent Vidal, albeit not at 100 per cent for the full 90 minutes, but hopefully in good shape.”

With Fernando Llorente struggling for form and goals, the coach gave a clearer indication of who may start in attack.

“Morata has a lot of quality and great potential, so I will evaluate whether he or Llorente start. Morata is really growing a great deal.”

With Olympiakos having already beaten Atletico Madrid and the group finely balanced with all 4 teams on 3 points, the coach was quick to note the threat the Greeks may pose Juventus.

“What headline would I give to this game? Not decisive, but important. We have tomorrow in Athens, then in 15 days we meet again in Turin. We need the right performance in every sense.

“We have great respect for Olympiacos. They beat Atletico, they play good football and have a Coach who brought the Spanish mentality to Greece, so focus on possession and passing.

“It’ll be difficult for us and for them, as Champions League games are never easy. We must find a way to limit their strongest characteristics.”

“Going forward in the Champions League is fundamental and we absolutely cannot get this wrong. The atmosphere will be fiery and the fans try to help their team, but it’s the players on the pitch who decide the result.

“We must be relaxed and determined to play a game that is strong in substance and technique.”

 

juventus Predicted Lineup

3-5-2 :  Buffon; Ogbonna, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Evra; Morata, Tevez

Injuries

icon05injured  Andrea Barzagli, Martin Caceres, Luca Marrone (Returning to fitness), Fernando Llorente (Doubtful)

 

olympiakos  Predicted Lineup

4-3-3: Roberto; Elabdellaoui, Botia, Abidal, Masnuaku; Maniatis, Miliovojevic,  Ndinga; Kasami, Mitroglou, Afellay

Injuries

icon05injured  Dimitrios Siovas, Jorge Benitez

 

Formations