Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri called for his team to “be calm” following Sunday’s Serie A 1-0 defeat to Roma, in which they hit the woodwork three times and saw Moise Kean sent off less than a minute after being substituted on!
That ended a seven-match unbeaten run (W6, D1) which had helped them progress to the UEFA Europa League (UEL) last 16 so they’ll be searching for an immediate response as they host Freiburg.
With the domestic title out of reach after their 15-point penalty for financial irregularities, this is one of Juventus’ two remaining chances of silverware this term along with the Coppa Italia.
Their chances may be boosted if they can maintain the calmness Allegri has requested, as they’ve never lost a UEL home match (W5, D7), whilst they’re unbeaten in their last four home matches against German opponents (W2, D2).
But Freiburg cannot be taken lightly as they’re on a five-match unbeaten run themselves (W3, D2), although they couldn’t take advantage of ten-man Borussia Mönchengladbach at the weekend (D 0-0).
Head coach Christian Streich described parts of the match as “hectic” before admitting he was happy with the goalless draw in the end.
Sitting fifth in the Bundesliga and therefore in contention for another crack at Europe next term, this is Freiburg’s first ever foray into springtime European competition and, perhaps unsurprisingly, the first time they’ll have faced Italian opposition before.
However, they’re unbeaten in three UEL away games this term (W2, D1), including a notable 4-0 win over Nantes – that’s one goal more than Juventus managed against the same opponents in France last month.
Stream Juventus vs Freiburg (UEFA Europa League) Live Match Below:
