Juventus players (L-R) Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli celebrate at the end of the UEFA Champions League quarter final, second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Juventus FC at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, 19 April 2017. EPA/ALEJANDRO GARCIA
Juventus players (L-R) Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli celebrate at the end of the UEFA Champions League quarter final, second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Juventus FC at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, 19 April 2017. EPA/ALEJANDRO GARCIA
Juventus and Italy legend Andrea Barzagli says Dusan Vlahovic must ‘cover his ears’ against Manchester City this evening and tells Federico Gatti how to stop Erling Haaland at the Allianz Stadium.
Juventus and Manchester City meet in a key Champions League match this evening at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.
City have won just two games from the last ten across all competitions, while Juventus are unbeaten in Serie A but collected nine draws in 15 matches.
“I would not trust [Man City] and I am convinced Juventus will do the same, especially because the Bianconeri come from many draws and need a win to boost their confidence,” Barzagli told Gazzetta.
“It will be tough, but sometimes, these European nights have a spark that changes the season.
Pep Guardiola has urged the Juventus board to give time to their new coach, Thiago Motta, and Barzagli feels the same way.
“Highs and lows are normal when you do such a revolution,” continued the ex-defender.
“At least being unbeaten in Serie A is an important signal. Thiago’s team is solid and organised. Bremer’s injury has affected the team, but they’ve also played good games without Gleison. At the same time, they’ve lacked lucidity in attack.”
Barzagli on how to stop Haaland and why Vlahovic must ‘cover his ears’ against Man City
GENOA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 28: Andrea Pinamonti of Genoa (left) and Gleison Bremer of Juventus vie for the ball during the Serie A match between Genoa and Juventus at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on September 28, 2024 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
GENOA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Andrea Pinamonti of Genoa (left) and Gleison Bremer of Juventus vie for the ball during the Serie A match between Genoa and Juventus at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on September 28, 2024 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Bremer will remain out of action for the rest of the season with a knee injury, and Barzagli believes that PSG’s Milan Skriniar seems to be the “most secure” option for replacing the Brazilian.
How about Vlahovic? The Serbia international is the best Juventus scorer this season but still attracts a lot of criticism from the fans and the media.
“You can tell that Dusan cares about it, but the pressure is normal for Juventus’ No.9, especially when the price is high,” Vlahovic argued.
“He needs a goal against Manchester City, even if people will always say the same thing. If he scores, it’s because he’s Vlahovic. If he doesn’t, it’s a problem. He must cover his ears.”
How should Juventus defence deal with Haaland?
“It takes attention inside the box, where he’s scary,” Barzagli admitted.
“Haaland combines important movements with his physicality. You must stay close to him at all times. Acerbi has always put him under pressure in recent games against Manchester City, but it’s teamwork, and the whole defence must stay close to him.”
Lastly, Barzagli praised another Manchester City superstar, Kevin de Bruyne.
“He’s a genius, one of the last No.10s left for creativity and quality passes,” he concluded.
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