Real Madrid clash 'crucial' for Juventus

Juventus coach Antonio Conte admitted his side will be playing for their Champions League survival against Group B leaders Real Madrid in Turin on Tuesday. Juventus welcome the Spanish giants with only two points to their name following two draws, away to FC Copenhagen and at home to Galatasaray, and defeat to Real in Madrid three weeks ago. Real, bidding for what would be a record 10th title as kings of European football, have won all three of their outings and need only a point at Juventus Stadium to secure their ticket to the last 16 knockout phase. For Juve, it was a similar situation last year when, on their return to the competition following a three-year absence, the Italians had only three points in the bag from their opening fixtures. However the Bianconeri then went on to put seven unanswered goals past Nordsjaelland (4-0) and Chelsea (3-0) in Turin in their following two games to turn their fortunes around, qualify from the group and make it to the quarter-finals where they were ousted by eventual winners Bayern Munich. A repeat of either scoreline against Carlo Ancelotti's Spanish giants is highly unlikely, but Conte is still desperate for a boost ahead of their remaining fixtures, at home to Copenhagen and away to Galatasaray. "It's a crucial game for our future in the Champions League," Conte told reporters on Tuesday. "But at the same time we'll be going into the game confident and proud to be back playing these kinds of games. We'll be counting on the fans to create the a red-hot atmosphere that will give us something extra." Since their 2-1 reverse in Madrid three weeks ago, when defender Giorgio Chiellini was harshly sent off shortly after the restart, Juventus have regrouped and kept clean sheets in three consecutive Serie A wins. Victory against Real would boost Juve's group hopes significantly, and striker Carlos Tevez is hoping to contribute by ending his four-year goal drought in the competition. Tevez's last goal in the Champions League came on April 7, 2009 when he scored for Manchester United away to FC Porto. "Is it as long as that?" Tevez replied when asked by media if he knew the last time he had hit the net in Europe's premier club competition. "Well let's hope I can bring an end to that tomorrow." Source: AFP