Platini: 'Juve can win Champions League'

By Football Italia staff

UEFA President Michel Platini admits he would “like to hand the Champions League trophy to Juventus” and believes Milan can knock Barcelona out.

The former Juve star spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport and cast his eye over the current competition.

“Who will win the Champions League? If I say that I’d like to hand the trophy to Juventus, then someone will get annoyed,” smiled Platini.

“I saw two great German teams, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. I include Juve in the list of potentials, as they are so strong and I love their national identity. At times they play with nine Italians, which is so rare nowadays.

“L’Avvocato would’ve loved this team too, as he would not have enjoyed this sport with a thousand foreigners who come and go.”

L’Avvocato is the nickname used for former Juve President Gianni Agnelli, who was at the helm during Platini’s Turin stay.

“Can Juve win it? If Barcelona go out, then the Champions League is wide open,” continued the UEFA President.

“It is not easy to come back from a 2-0 first leg defeat, even for Barcelona. That’s what makes football great, the fact Milan can sell Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, have Mario Balotelli cup-tied and then beat Barcelona 2-0.

“If you’re Chelsea with tons of money, you can still lose in the Europa League to Steaua Bucharest. If you are Manchester United then you can concede two goals in 10 minutes. Just having a man sent off does not justify it.

“My Juve, Ajax and Bayern used to have three Finals in a row. Now every year it is different for the Champions League.”

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