Improved Juventus impress Effenberg

Former Bayern Munich player Stefan Effenberg is respectful of the threat that Juventus will pose in the last eight of the Champions League.

The two teams meet in the first leg of their encounter on Tuesday with Bayern seemingly favourites to reach the semi-finals.

“I don’t think they are favourites,” the former Fiorentina midfielder told Ita Sport Press. “That is because this Juventus side is different from the one that started the competition.

“They’ve improved so much since then, especially in terms of their self-belief,” added the man who enjoyed two spells at Bayern in his career.

“Also, should Bayern have an off day then there is no real leader in their side who can drag the team along.

“That is a limitation because to be successful a side needs to have personality and a competitive nastiness.”