Conte: Madrid game crucial

Antonio Conte has admitted that Juventus’ home clash with Real Madrid is ‘crucial’ for his team to get a result from.

The Bianconeri play host on Tuesday evening for the fourth round of matches in this year’s Champions League group stage and are yet to win in Group B.

“It’s a waste of time trying to hide. This will be a fundamental and beautiful game,” considered Conte to the gathered media today.

“It will be crucial if we want to continue in the Champions League and we have to do something on the pitch to deserve continuing in the competition.

“[Carlo] Ancelotti can count on an extraordinary and devastating offensive department. Especially if you leave them space in which to counter-attack.

“Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema, Di Maria and the rest are fantastic when they have space to attack. We have to tactically repeat what we did in Madrid.”

Speculation is that Conte will revert to a 4-3-3 formation trialled two weeks ago in defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“We returned to a 4-3-3 in Spain, but my side can also play with a 3-5-2. We’ll see, we could even change shape during the course of the game.

“What is more important than the system is the way we interpret the game, because we are playing a candidate to win the Champions League.

“Real have great champions and they live through games like this on a weekly basis. It is a classic of the European game.

“We’ll look to take advantage of the atmosphere and I expect some great support from our fans. They have to follow the team during the positive and less positive moments of the match.

“We have to raise ourselves against a very high obstacle.”

Howard Webb is refereeing this week’s encounter, with the Spanish Press still remembering him for his performance in the 2010 World Cup Final.

“We’re thinking about playing the game, UEFA worry about referees. There were a few incidents in the first match which compromised the result, but the referee is part of the game.

“We are happy that a top tier referee, one of the best in the world, has been handed this tie.

“We know it will be tough tomorrow, but we know that we have the qualities to do well.”

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