'Juve must attack Real Madrid'

Juventus striker Fernando Llorente says his side cannot afford to sit back and defend their way past Real Madrid if they are to reach the Champions League final.

Nicknamed Old Lady of Italian football, Juventus who  claimed their fourth consecutive Scudetto with a 1-0 win against Sampdoria last Saturday, are on the hunt for their first European title since 1996.

And Spain international Llorente has called on his team-mates to take a proactive approach when they host the reigning European champions in Turin this evening.

"We can't defend forever. We have to attack and we know how to do that," he told AS.

"People are used to winning the league but it's not easy. But the Champions League semi-final gives the season greater importance. 

"It's a unique chance for us. Hopefully, we can play two great games. We know that Madrid have spectacular players up front. There isn't room for the smallest of errors. You can't give them any space either, because Madrid are lethal."

Joint-top scorers in Serie A with 63 goals in 33 outings this season, Carlos Tevez has once again spearheaded the high-scoring Juve attack, hitting 20 goals to leave him top of Italy’s scoring charts.

And Llorente says the Argentine's form has been an inspiration to everybody at the club.

Juve and Madrid also met in the semi-finals in 2002-03 edition when the Italians emerged victorious, while Madrid beat the Italian champions in the final in 1997-98 thanks to a single goal from Predrag Mijatovic. — AFP