Juventus may be preparing for the biggest match of their season — but the squad showed no signs of nerves at they put the finishing touches to their preparations.
The Italian giants welcome Real Madrid to the Allianz Stadium on Tuesday for the first leg of their mouthwatering Champions League quarter-final showdown, where they’ll be looking to exact revenge following last season’s defeat in the final.
And it seems Gonzalo Higuain and Co are up for the challenge, with the silverware-chasing side appearing in a relaxed mood at their Turin training base on Monday.
Gonzalo Higuain (left) jokes around with Andrea Barzagli (right) during Juventus training
Juventus’ Paulo Dybala (left) and Douglas Costa also appeared in a relaxed mood on Monday
There was also some serious time during the session, as they prepare to take on Real Madrid
Massimiliano Allegri’s men were put through various training drills ahead of the crunch encounter, which will see two European heavyweights go head-to-head.
There was plenty of laughing and joking, with the players seemingly enjoying the session ahead of the most important clash of their campaign to date.
And winger Juan Cuadrado believes his team will treat Tuesday’s Champions League first leg against Real Madrid ‘like a final’.
‘They’re a fantastic side but we need to focus on our own game: we’ll play as if it were a final,’ the Colombian said ahead of the last-eight meeting.
Juventus pair Federico Bernardeschi (left) and Blaise Matuidi are put through their paces
Dybala prepares to volley the ball with his left foot as Alex Sandro watches the technique
Juve have lost in last year’s final against Real Madrid, beaten 4-1 at the Principality Stadium
Juventus have lost their previous two finals against Real Madrid, including a 4-1 defeat in Cardiff last year in the Champions League, and Gianluigi Buffon wants his team-mates to learn from last year’s defeat.
‘Let’s hope everything will be different (from Cardiff),’ Juventus captain Buffon told the Spanish sports daily Marca.
‘We win the matches which last 180 minutes but lose those that last 90. Maybe we should play the finals over 180 minutes.’
Juventus are also in the hunt for a treble again. They beat AC Milan 3-1 on Saturday to move four points clear of Napoli at the top of Serie A and are also in the Italian Cup final.
The Juventus stars make their way out on to the training pitch for Monday’s session
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri (left) has a chat with midfielder Miralem Pjanic
Cuadrado scored Juve’s second goal against Milan after coming on as a substitute for his first appearance following more than three months out with a groin injury.
‘He’s come back well and has astounded me because often in the past he hasn’t done well coming off the bench,’ Juventus coach Allegri said.
Juventus defender Mehdi Benatia and midfielder Miralem Pjanic are banned for the Real encounter after being booked in the last-16 victory over Tottenham.
Giorgio Chiellini, the experienced Italian defender, looks to get hold of the ball during a drill
Manager Allegri put his team through various training drills ahead of the crunch encounter