Juventus manager Antonio Conte has said his team respects Real Madrid but does not fear Los Blancos ahead of the Champions League clash between the European giants.
The Italian champions take on the nine-time European Cup winners at the Santiago Bernabeu tonight before welcoming them to Turin in two weeks time for the reverse fixture.
Conte’s men suffered a surprise 4-2 defeat to Fiorentina in Seria A at the weekend having been two goals to the good at one stage, but rather than be concerned ahead of the Champions League match, the manager said it would act as a wakeup call for his team.
Speaking to journalists gathered at the pre-match press conference, Conte stated: “This game gives us huge motivation. Something imponderable happened in Florence, but in football this can happen. The numbers say we create a great deal.”
Switching his attention to the match at the Bernabeu, he said his team knows its own strengths and does not fear Los Blancos. “We respect Real Madrid, but have no fear. We are stepping on to the field well aware of our capabilities. This is going to be very tough, but it is an opportunity for us to give our all and prove ourselves too,” he said.
And he added: “The result will mean nothing in terms of qualification, whether we win or lose, as there are still another three games to go. We have to prove we’re up to the standard of this great football stage, not with words, but on the pitch.”
