Massimiliano Allegri has already labelled Barcelona as a clear favourite to win the 2018/19 Champions League and he is sticking with that prediction despite the fact the Catalan club have been struggling in LaLiga Santander.
The Juventus coach pointed out that current form doesn't matter so much and that the most important thing is who reaches the knockout stages playing well.
"I think when we evaluate teams we shouldn't look too much at what they're doing right now," he said at a press conference on Monday.
"I said last year that Real Madrid were the favourites to win the Champions League and I wasn't wrong.
"For this Champions League, Barcelona are the favourites for me.
"But there are two or three teams just behind and we're there.
"There are expectations surrounding us because of the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the Champions League multiple times."
He spoke about Juventus' current form, dismissing the suggestion that the Serie A title race is over and also discussing their European ambitions.
"There are lots of matches to go and it's always open given that there are three points per win," he said.
"As for the Champions League, we need to go step by step.
"We'll try to earn a victory [against Valencia] to top the group.
"We are playing against a team that has 10 matches where they've not conceded goals.
"They'll do whatever they can to earn a result.
"We shouldn't sleep as we did against Manchester United."
Juventus currently have nine points in Group H, ahead of the seven of Manchester United and the five of Valencia.
Minadmnort
321
what i hate the most is that perez called ronaldo old and didnt give him a pay raise. ronaldo has been breaking incredible records in juventus now my question is directed to perez. is it worth it? because of you real madrid is suffering. look at their last match against eibar 3-0. madrid were playing like they didnt know how to play football, no understanding between them at all. i say to perez it was not worth it to loose ronaldo. ronaldo has broke a new record in juventus the only player to score goals in nine or 10 consecutive games since the last 50years. that is the man perez calls old. all the youngin in madrid isco, asensio even bale has not scored anything. it is a pity. i hope madrid doesnt meet juventus anytime in this champions league because ronaldo will take that game personal and make sure madrid suffers for underating him and disrespecting him. dont get me wrong aifers i am not a madrid or juventus fan but i say football as it is.
John_Anthony
296
So even with ronaldo in his side he is giving edge to messi side
BabaNla_14
281
when this Man is still alive, I doubted what MAXI said đ¤
Minadmnort
266
ever since ronaldo left i hardly see comments from real madrid fans and i see more comments from juventus fans thats because so many madrid fans are now juventus fans. its a shame.... if real madrid dont do something quick they will not carry uefa champions league anymore for a long time.
RealMd13
177
Allegri: I think barca are the favourites to win this year's champions league đ CR7: do you want to keep your job đĄ Allegri: yes sir âšī¸ CR7: dont ever say that again. Am I clear? đĄ Allegri: yes coach! âšī¸ CR7: good! đ now smile at the camera so they wont think something is going on đ
swagchicken
154
SharkV
88
mind games. UCL is unpredictable. Remember what happened last year. Braca was so strong and ony god knows what happened to them with Roma.