Ivan Rakitic has admitted he and his Barcelona teammates ‘were not happy’ when they were paired with Juventus in the Champions League draw.
Luis Enrique’s side travel to Turin next week for the first leg of the tie in what will be a repeat of the 2015 final of the competition.
“The [Champions League] draw? We weren’t happy,” Rakitic told Gazzetta dello Sport’s Extra Time.
“We played them in the final two years ago and we know how strong they are. Mandzu [Mario Mandzukic] told me the same thing, they didn’t want this either but it’s the Champions Leaguge.
“Juve have no flaws, they have clear ideas and are a great team. It will be tough for us.
“Juventus have won Serie A for five years in a row and they’re top this year, two years ago they were in the Champions League final and when it comes to Italian football they’re the reference point.
“They can extend that to Europe. They have a spectacular history and are among the 5-10 best teams in the world, they’re hard to face and they’re used to winning.
“You Italians leave the pressure to others, but I can say it will be a very difficult tie. I have good memories of Juventus Stadium, I won there in the Europa League than Sevilla.”
