As featured on NewsNow: Football news

Zambrotta insists Juventus are equal of Barcelona

Former Juventus fullback Gianluca Zambrotta insists they're on the level of Barcelona.

The two teams have been drawn together in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Barcelona very nearly crashed out of the tournament in the Round of 16 after a 4-0 first leg defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, but completed an incredible comeback to win 6-1 with the last kick of the game.

Zambrotta stated: “That told us that Barcelona can be put under serious pressure, the second leg confirmed it's a side capable of finding hidden resources even when they seem to be out of gas.

“Allegri has to keep both those games in mind. The key will be the first leg, as Juventus can make the most of home advantage, their remarkable record on home turf and the fact Sergio Busquets will be suspended.

Luis Enrique showed by moving to a three-man defence after the defeat in Paris that he can create new things, but inventions don't always work and Busquets has unique characteristics in that squad.

“He could use Javier Mascherano, but that would weaken the defence. Ivan Rakitic or Andre Gomes are options, but they are very different to Busquets.

“The first leg is very important, because I've played at Camp Nou and I know what it feels like to be pushed on by 95,000 people. It gives you wings and we saw that against PSG. Barcelona are scary on home turf, so Juve must ensure they don't get shaken by that atmosphere."

Video of the day:

About the author

Paul Vegas

×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

  1. Go Ad-Free
  2. Faster site experience
  3. Support great writing
  4. Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free
×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free