Tuesday’s opening Champions League match will have a particular flavour for Juventus. Their adversary, Swedish champions Malmö FF, represents a Scandinavian presence that has eluded the bianconeri in the last two seasons. In fact, over the last two seasons Danish sides Nordsjælland and Københaven FC held them to unlikely ties which cost them valuable points in the group stage.
Allegri’s men are strong from a good start, courtesy of two shutout victories in Serie A, and are looking to make a strong start in the Champions League – a black fly that marked his predecessor’s dynasty.
Juventus will meet a Malmö FF side – for the first time in history – that is not in the sharpest form. In fact, the Swedish champions have won two, tied two and lost one of their last five matches in the Allsvenskan, and qualified to the Champions League group stages by defeating Czech champion Sparta Praha on away goals rule. One note of caution for Juventus is that the Swedes are in midseason shape, as the Allsvenskan is at the 23rd matchday already. Allegri’s men have been warned.
Juventus is weary of surprises: recent history against Scandinavian sides should teach them well. Allegri is likely to stick to the 3-5-2 that Conte was criticized for, and confirm Sundays line up with the exception of Asamoah in place of Pereyra, who’s out on a suspension, and Chiellini who returns to his starting position, replacing Ogbonna. The bianconeri will miss Vidal, Pirlo and Barzagli who are still returning from injury.
Malmö is known to be a strong offensive team, with fast counterattacking abilities. They will likely line up with a 4-3-3, featuring a three-pronged attack composed by Eriksson, Rosenberg and Thelin.
Notable Quotes
Massimiliano Allegri, Juventus Coach
“There are no easy games in the Champions League. All the teams are in it to win because it’s a short competition. It’s not a tournament that allows you rest – you have to go out there to win matches.
“Malmo are in better shape than us in terms of fitness, because the league starts a long time before Serie A. They’re an organised team whose main strengths are their physicality and speed”.
“We need to be right on our game, ensure that we allow our technical ability to come through, move the ball quickly and keep it nice and tight at the back.”
Giorgio Chiellini, Juventus Defender
“There’s a lot of enthusiasm for our Champions League debut. We need to try and surprise people and achieve something big.”
“We’re not expecting an easy win. We know that it’s going to be a tough game. We still bear the scars of last year and two years ago, from the results against Copenhagen and Nordsjælland. I think Malmo will be quite similar to those teams, given the likeness in the brand of football they play and their geographical proximity.”
Age Hareide, Malmö Coach
“It’s a must-win game for Juventus, not for us – we don’t have that pressure. We’re fitter than they are, which can be an advantage for us. We’re used to playing often and have two of the greatest strikers in Sweden. Tomorrow we need to remain focused, and look to maximize on our set-pieces”.
Probable Line-Ups
Juventus (3-5-2): Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Pogba, Marchisio, Asamoah, Evra; Tevez, Llorente.
Malmö (4-3-3): Olsen; Concha, Helander, Konate, Tinnerholm; Forsberg, Adu, Halsti; Eriksson, Rosenberg, Thelin.
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