Marchisio praises Shakhtar after draw

3 October 2012 17:47

Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio says his team were lucky not to lose their home Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.

The Turin giants fell 1-0 behind early in the game when Brazilian Alex Teixeira found the net, but Leonardo Bonucci restored parity shortly after. Both sides had a number of chances to bag the full three points, but were unable to net a second.

"We were up against a side capable of playing good football, and very fast on the break. We didn't start very well but then we managed to get a handle on them and could even have gone in front," Marchisio told the club's official website.

"There were a few tired legs out there towards the end, though, and – credit to our opponents too – we could have lost the game, too.

"Now we have a double header against (Danish side) Nordsjaelland which, on paper at least, should be a bit easier. We still need to approach them very carefully though. We can't afford to slip up.

"We've only just got back in the Champions League and we all need to prove that we're good enough to be here."

Juventus sit third in Group E with two points from as many games.

Carrera rues nervous start from Juve

3 October 2012 03:25

Caretaker coach Massimo Carrera says Juventus were 'timid and tense' in their 1-1 draw at home to Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.

A goal by Leonardo Bonucci levelled the scores in the Champions League clash at Juventus Stadium after the Ukrainian visitors had taken the lead via Alex Teixeira.

The result means Juve have taken a total of two points from their first two Group E fixtures following a 2-2 draw at Chelsea on matchday one.

"We went out onto the field a little timid and tense," Carrera said.

"We conceded a goal, but did well to get straight back."

"Last season we did not play in Europe, so maybe this is why we are so tired. We are not used to playing so many games and we have not been able to let some important players rest so far.

"Teams in the Champions League are strong, but we will fight against everyone. We have some really strong teams in our group, but I am sure that Juventus will be competitive until the end."

Despite the disappointing draw, in which Shakhtar had several opportunities to net a winner, goal-scorer Bonucci still believes Juve can do well in Europe.

"We went on to the pitch a little too timid," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"However, considering how the game was going, we did well to get back in it."

"When we attacked Shakhtar, we put them under a lot of pressure. Juventus must always seek to take the game to the opponents."

Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu offered an insight to how his players halted the home side's forays forward: "We had the advantage in terms of possession, and we made Juventus run a lot.

"We made Juventus run a lot, and had more chances to score than they did. I am very glad about the way we played."

After beating Danish newcomers Nordsjaelland on matchday one, Shakhtar are joint top in Group E on four points, level with Chelsea.

UEFA Champions League Group E preview: Juve plot Shakhtar downfall

1 October 2012 14:03

Juventus will look to build on their opening Group E draw at Chelsea when Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk make the trip to Italy.

The reigning Serie A champions overcame a two-goal deficit at Stamford Bridge to earn a 2-2 draw against last season's Champions League winners courtesy of goals from Arturo Vidal and substitute Fabio Quagliarella.

Following on from their draw in London, Juventus have extended their unbeaten run in the Serie A to 45 matches.

Antonio Conte's side secured wins against Chievo and Roma, while they played out a goalless draw against rivals Fiorentina.

And as Juventus prepare to stage their first European fixture at Juventus Stadium since making the move from the Stadio Olimpico prior to the 2011/12 season, they come up against a side who boast an impressive unbeaten record of their own.

Shakhtar, the defending champions of Ukraine, defeated Europa League participants Dinipro Dnipropetrovsk 2-1 on Saturday, the club's 25th successive win in all competitions after they opened their Champions League account with a 2-0 win over Norsjaelland.

Both sides have an array of attacking talents so expect an entertaining Group E encounter with Sebastian Giovinco and Henrikh Mkhitaryan on show.

Giovinco took his tally to three goals in five Serie A games following Juventus' comprehensive 4-1 win at home to Roma, while Mkhitaryan has an incredible record of 13 goals in his past 10 appearances in all competitions for Shakhtar.

In the remaining Group E game scheduled on Tuesday, Chelsea fly out to Denmark as they prepare to play Norsjaelland.

Chelsea are level on points alongside Juventus and a win at Parken Stadium would kick-start their title defence.

Brazilian youngster Oscar starred in Chelsea's draw with Juventus but the form of his team-mates at domestic level has filled the club's fans with plenty of confidence as they seek their first Premier League title since the 2009/10 season.

Roberto Di Matteo's men edged Stoke 1-0 in unconvincing fashion, however wins against Wolves and London rivals Arsenal extended Chelsea's unbeaten streak to five games in all competitions.

Fernando Torres netted the opener at Emirates Stadium, which will undoubtedly please Di Matteo, along with the team's effectiveness from set-pieces.

Norsdjaelland are clear underdogs against Chelsea but Dutch striker Joshua John will pose a threat for the European champions.

John has eight goals in seven games, including Nordsjaelland's opening goal in their 3-0 victory at home to Esbjerg.

The Danish champions are third, six points adrift of league leaders FC Copenhagen, and have now won two on the bounce.

Chelsea's trip to Denmark will be not be as straightforward as some are suggesting with Nordsjaelland sure to be stubborn opposition in front of their home faithful.