Juve deserved more, says Chiellini

24 October 2012 10:50

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has spoken of his disappointment with the 1-1 draw against Nordsjaelland in the Champions League.

Antonio Conte's team had set their sights on the three points against the Danish side, but had to thank Mirko Vucinic for not leaving Copenhagen empty handed as the Montenegro international equalised late on.

Chiellini said his team deserved better against Nordsjaelland as he struggled to come to terms with how they failed to win.

"We go home scratching our heads as to how we haven’t won this match," Chiellini told the club's website.

"Over the course of 90 minutes we allowed them one free-kick and one chance from a long ball. We had 15 shots and created 30 chances.

"In certain league games, like against Genoa or Siena, we've gone home with three points despite conceding more chances. Tonight we deserved a lot more."

Danish minnows ´should have won´

24 October 2012 03:14

Coach Kasper Hjulmand believes FC Nordsjaelland deserved more than a point from the Champions League clash with Juventus.

A free kick from Mikkel Beckmann opened the scoring for the Danish minnows, but a late Mirko Vucinic goal extinguished any hopes of a heroic victory on Tuesday.

Nordsjaelland remain bottom of Group E with a solitary point, but after grinding out the draw against the Italian champions they demonstrated they can compete with Europe's best.

"We could have got more out of the match if we had kept playing during their pressure," Hjulmand told reporters.

"After playing well in the first half, I don't think we threatened them enough in the second. However, considering their pressure - their equaliser was inevitable - we are happy to be off the mark now," he said.

But Juventus assistant manager Angelo Alessio scoffed at Hjulmand's comments claiming the Italian champions 'absolutely deserved to win' in Copenhagen.

The draw leaves Juve's Champions League hopes hanging by a thread with Shakhtar Donetsk lead Group E on seven points, followed by Chelsea on four and the Italians with three.

Juve have now managed just nine draws and a defeat from their last 10 European matches.

"We had so many chances, but were unable to score and in a game like this that complicates matters," said Alessio after the match.

"We lacked some grit in the first half, while after the break we did play our football. Towards the end we switched to a four-man defence, as Nicklas Bendtner and Sebastian Giovinco were backed by Mirko Vucinic to make the team more dangerous in attack.

"We certainly allowed our opponents too much in the first half, but came out of our shells in the second, created many opportunities and their goalkeeper had to perform several great saves."

Juve need winning feeling in Europe, says Caceres

22 October 2012 08:58

Juventus defender Martin Caceres has stressed he is hungry to beat Nordsjaelland in the Champions League.

The Serie A champions have not lost a competitive match since May 2011, but Caceres said he is keen to secure all three points against the Danish Superliga holders on Tuesday.

Juve drew their opening two games against Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk respectively, and Caceres realises they cannot afford to slip up again if they are to reach the knockout stages of European club football's elite competition.

"Now we want to go on and do well in the Champions League," the Uruguayan defender told the official Juve website.

"We've drawn our first two games and it's time for our first win. We understand the importance of Tuesday's game in Denmark.

"We always want to win, we know we're wearing a shirt that brings pressure and we always play to get the three points."