Nedved: ‘Spurs a tough draw for Juventus’

By Football Italia staff

Juventus vice-President Pavel Nedved sees Tottenham Hotspur as “a solid team with a great Coach”, and hopes Fernando Llorente doesn’t “hurt us”.

The Bianconeri were paired with the English side in today’s Last 16 draw, with the first leg in Turin on February 13 and the return at Wembley on March 7.

“It’s a normal draw,” Nedved told Premium Sport after learning Juve’s opponents.

“We’ve never faced Tottenham in Europe, but we faced them in a friendly this summer and lost. The game is in two months, so we’ll see how it goes.

“They’re a solid team with a great Coach [Mauricio Pochettino] who is taking full advantage of their attacking potential.

“Then there’s Llorente who we know well and who we hope doesn’t hurt us like he did for Sevilla. “In the friendly we weren’t in condition, now we have to believe in ourselves and do our best.”

Juventus have lost two finals in the last three years, would it be better to go out earlier, rather than suffer that heartbreak again?

“I’d sign up to reach the final every year, then when you’re there you see how it goes. It’s always very difficult [to get there] but Juventus have done it twice in three years. That doesn’t happen for everyone.

“The Last 16 is tricky, it’s very difficult to pass. It seems like a matter of course, but Juventus never make these calculations, not in the league nor in Europe.

“We always take it game-by-game, we’ll think of Tottenham and then see what happens.”

The Czech was also asked about Paulo Dybala, who was dropped for the Derby d’Italia with Inter.

“He’s 24, it’s normal for him to have highs and lows,” Nedved said.

“He knows he has a club which is behind him, and we can always talk to and support him if he needs it.

“He has to make a lot of sacrifices in his private life and on the pitch to reach his maximum potential.

“[Coach Max] Allegri is the same with everyone, when [Gonzalo] Higuain or [Mario] Mandzukic aren’t in form they get benched too.

“Those who are good play, and that’s important.”

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