Fernando Llorente, former Juventus striker, shared his thoughts with Gazzetta dello Sport, on the upcoming Champions League match between RB Leipzig and Juventus.
Ten years ago, in 2014-15, you reached the Champions League final with Juventus. After a €200 million transfer market, how far can the Bianconeri go?
“Juve needed to change a lot and they’ve done it well. Giuntoli was my director at Napoli, he’s a guarantee. And if they’ve spent a lot, it’s because they want to return to winning: Juve always aim to win everything. For the Scudetto, Inter remains the strongest, but Juve are in the discussion. And watch out for Napoli, Conte is a phenomenon. In the Champions League it’s another story: Thiago Motta’s team started well against PSV and now we’ll see if they confirm against Leipzig.”
Juventus are the only team among the top 5 European leagues not to have conceded a goal, Leipzig (2 goals conceded) is the 2nd best defense on the continent: is there a smell of 0-0 in the air?
“No, because in the Champions League, more open football is played. Whoever takes advantage of the first opportunity, unlocks the game and has more chances to win. Vlahovic is confident and at the first goal-scoring opportunity he can score and have an impact on the evening. I’m betting on Dusan because goals are confidence for a striker. When you score, you become a different player. And he, after the brace against Genoa, won’t stop. Trust me: he will play a great game and score. Dusan, with that shot, is set for 30 goals a season. But he must focus on the work the coach asks of him. Goals are a consequence.”
Vlahovic will face Sesko: which of the two do you prefer?
“They are young and strong. Between the two, I still choose Dusan. If he improves mentally, he has everything to be one of the top 9 in the world.”
Would you have expected more from Douglas Luiz?
“He’s not playing a lot, but I understand the situation. The same thing happened to me in my first months in Turin. In training camp I had suffered from the new training methods, I had gone down physically and had lost a bit of confidence. Conte helped me a lot, he organized friendlies to get me in shape. Slowly I understood Juve, Serie A and I became a starter. It will happen to Douglas Luiz too: he has above-average technique.”
Which is the Giuntoli signing that intrigues you the most?
“Conceiçao. Technique, dribbling, bursts: the Portuguese had a super impact at Marassi.”
Off the cuff: for the dream team would you take Yildiz or Nusa, from Leipzig?
“Yildiz seems special, he has a soft foot and good dribbling. He’s young, but he wears the number 10 naturally.”
The men who can shift the balance of Leipzig-Juve?
“Xavi Simons and Koopmeiners can change everything with a shot or an assist.”
At Juve you were coached by Conte and Allegri: what impression does Motta give you?
“It’s crazy that the Bianconeri don’t concede goals. Juve’s solidity confirms Motta’s skill. And I tell you this as someone who played up front, not at the back! It’s important to defend with 11 and quickly regain possession. If you don’t concede goals, you get close to winning the championship and achieving your objectives.”
