JUVE CAN COMPETE

Juventus are one of the teams to remain in the Europa league after having been knocked out of the Champions League at the group stages itself.

Recently, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho criticised the policy of sending teams knocked out from the Champions League into the second-tier competition since it was eliminating the chance of victory for the teams that had qualified into the competition in the first place. Despite this, Juventus are keen on winning the trophy, which was won by Chelsea last season.

The club started out of the season with a firm target of reaching the latter stages of the Champions League after managing to win the league title in consecutive seasons. They are now on course to making it a hat-trick of league titles, but that will not distract them from winning a cup competition according to manager Antonio Conte. The 44-year-old has received rave reviews for the way he has once again transformed Juventus into the top dog in Italian football.

The club are favourites to reach the semifinals of the Europa league after coming up 1-0 victors over Lyon in the first leg. The away goal coupled with home advantage will make them favourites ahead of the second leg, but Conte is remaining cautious of the French.

“Let's not forget that it's been seven years since an Italian side reached the semis. That would really be something we would be proud of. We're completely focused on this game because it would be prestigious for Juve to reach the semi-finals of such a great competition. Our job's going to be very difficult though - all that counts is winning. When you win, you've got it right. When things don't go well, you've got it wrong – it’s that simple,” said Conte.

Juventus are eight points ahead of second placed Roma in the Italian Serie A.