Pioli: 'Ready for Juventus'

Bologna won three on the bounce and Stefano Pioli feels “this is the right time to take on Juventus” as they clash on Saturday evening.

The Stadio Dall’Ara hosts the Serie A match at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.

“Our journey this season has been unusual and not at all easy, but if there is ever a right time to take on Juventus, then this would be it,” said the Coach.

His Rossoblu are fresh from three consecutive victories, including a 1-0 at San Siro against Inter last week.

“Juve are the strongest team in Italy. They do not seem to have any weak points and put everything on to the field, including technique, organisation and intensity.

“In order to get a positive result, we need an exceptional performance. This is the most prestigious match of the season, as it is against the reigning Scudetto holders and the only Italian team left in the Champions League.

“We will not hide the difficulties of this game, but at the same time we won’t rule anything out either. Letting Juventus get close to our penalty area would not be wise, so we aim to attack them and be pro-active.

“We have great respect for Juve and Antonio Conte, who is a great Coach, but we also want to give it a go. We’re in great shape right now and need to lift the bar even higher, as our performance must be another improvement on the last.”

Panagiotis Kone returns from suspension and the only injury absentee is defender Frederik Sorensen.

Bologna squad for Juventus: Agliardi, Curci, Lombardi; Abero, Antonsson, Cherubin, De Carvalho, Garics, Morleo, Motta, Naldo; Guarente, Kone, Krhin, Pazienza, Perez, Taider; Christodoulopoulos, Diamanti, Gabbiadini, Gilardino, Moscardelli, Pasquato