Juventus director Giorgio Chiellini jokes it’s a pleasure to fulfill Benfica coach Jose Mourinho aside from ‘throughout matches’ and confirms pursuit of a brand new striker in January.
It kicks off on the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
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The Bianconeri noticed their Serie A progress hit an sudden bump over the weekend when regardless of an historic quantity of possession.
Chiellini ready for robust Juventus night time
BOLOGNA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Former Juventus participant Giorgio Chiellini appears on previous to the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Juventus FC at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Picture by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Photos)
“We had been a bit unfortunate in Cagliari, however earlier than the sport I had stated it was a entice, and that was a message to see the place we had been after many good performances,”
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“I do assume the group performed nicely and the most important problem was that we weren’t efficient sufficient in entrance of purpose with our possibilities. We wanted to be extra decided to get the end result in any respect prices.”
Benfica had misplaced the primary 4 Champions League fixtures earlier than beating Ajax and Napoli by 2-0 outcomes to offer themselves hope.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 13: Giorgio Chiellini attends the Gold Carpet throughout the FIFA Membership World Cup 2025 Closing match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Picture by Michael Loccisano/Getty Photos)
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Juve additionally had a tough begin, selecting up solely three attracts from the primary 4 rounds, till victories over Bodo/Glimt and Pafos.
“This will likely be a really completely different type of sport, towards a a lot stronger opponent, the place we’d like steadiness and being cautious of their qualities, particularly as they’re lacking so many defensive midfielders that their group is top-heavy on the attacking facet,” continued Chiellini.
“After a tough begin, we bought the victory away to Bodo/Glimt and have solely now realised how tough that was. Now we’ve the chance to get a end result right here so after we go to Monaco for the ultimate sport, it’s not life or dying.”
LISBON, PORTUGAL – DECEMBER 10: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of SSC Napoli (L), and Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Benfica (R), shake fingers previous to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD6 match between SL Benfica and SSC Napoli at on December 10, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Picture by Gualter Fatia/Getty Photos)
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Former Inter and Roma coach Mourinho stated he would take the Juventus job in future if Luciano Spalletti had been to depart.
“Jose was a fantastic opponent and a fantastic coach throughout Europe, so it’s at all times a pleasure to fulfill him earlier than and after matches, not a lot throughout!”
Juventus are reported to be searching for a brand new striker, so that they have approached Crystal Palace for Jean-Philippe Mateta and Fenerbahce for Youssef En-Nesyri. Are there any updates from the membership on these negotiations?
“It’s tough to enhance a squad like this in January, we’re evaluating choices in an space the place Dusan sadly had a critical harm. There may be nothing on the verge of coming in, however there are two weeks to go, and if there’s something to assist the coach enhance this squad, we received’t maintain again.”