Marchisio fires Atletico warning

Posted Thursday, October 02, 2014 by Foxsports.com

Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has warned Atletico Madrid that his team only has victory in mind when it travels to the Vincente Calderon stadium.

The Italians beat Malmo 2-0 in their Champions League Group A opener and travel to Spain having enjoyed a perfect start to the season.

"We began this competition well by winning our first game, something we had failed to do in previous campaigns," Marchisio told www.juventus.it. "Now we have a very delicate game in Madrid.

"We have to try to get a good result there because it would give us a big boost in confidence to beat a great team like Atletico.

"To take a six-point advantage over Atletico would be a fantastic step towards qualification.

"However, we are aware that in this group there will be no easy games and proof of that was Atletico's defeat at Olympiacos."

Last season's finalists, Atletico, endured a disappointing start to the competition, falling 3-2 in Greece.

However, Diego Simeone's men are confident they can get back on track.

"We know we cannot fail," Atletico defender Juanfran said to www.clubatleticodemadrid.com. "We've already had a setback in this competition, to have two would almost eliminate us.

"The key to our team is that the more complicated things get, the better we compete.

"We know we need to win no matter what.

"One of Europe's best teams is coming here and we will be ready.

"I'm convinced that we will win."

Atletico have reason to be confident for they have won 17 of their last 19 games at the Vicente Calderon stadium in UEFA competition.

Moreover, the Rojiblancos warmed up for the encounter by brushing Sevilla aside 4-0 on Saturday to climb to third in La Liga, two points adrift of leaders Barcelona.

Juve, coached by Massimiliano Allegri, head into the contest on the back of Saturday's 3-0 triumph at Atalanta.

The outcome was Juve's sixth straight win in all competitions and lifted the Bianconeri to the top of the Serie A table, level on 15 points with Roma.

The visitors are without three injured players, including veteran midfielder Andrea Pirlo.

However, Uruguay defender Martin Caceres has recovered from a thigh problem and could be included in the starting XI.

Spanish striker Fernando Llorente is set to partner Carlos Tevez in Juve's attack while Atletico captain Gabi has shaken off a right ankle injury sustained at the weekend.

Mario Mandzukic, who fractured his nose in his team's defeat at Olympiacos, will lead Atletico's attack wearing a protective face mask.

Alessio Cerci, who did not feature on Saturday against Sevilla for technical reasons, has been included in the squad.

The Italian forward signed for Atletico in August from Juve's arch-rivals Torino and has made just two league appearances so far.