Alessio: 'Now to beat Chelsea'

Angelo Alessio praised Juventus for their return to form and looked ahead to the showdown with Chelsea. “We have to earn our place in the next round.”

The Bianconeri remain third in Group E after their 4-0 win over Nordsjaelland, but just one point behind joint leaders Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk.

“Of course we absolutely have to beat Chelsea at home in the next game and earn our place in the next round.

“We wanted great intensity and the lads had the right anger and determination for this type of performance,” said Antonio Conte’s assistant manager.

“We created a great deal, as on top of the four goals we could’ve had a few more. We brought back that pressing on the ball in every area of the field and the style of football we needed.”

Mirko Vucinic was injured and Stephan Lichtsteiner dropped to the stands after he risked a red card against Inter on Saturday, so Alessandro Matri and Sebastian Giovinco started in attack.

“Giovinco played very well. We know his quality very well. It’s a shame Matri didn’t get a goal, but he too played well.

“Conte chooses the strikers game by game, based in part on the characteristics of our opponents. The important thing is for them to be ready, just as Fabio Quagliarella was tonight.”