Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo waits for Cristiano Ronaldo’s test results and said he will ‘count on the players available to sacrifice themselves’ against Barcelona.
Pirlo said the Old Lady expect the test results from Cristiano Ronaldo’s last swab for coronavirus tonight but doesn’t know if the Portugal international starts even if he tests negative.
“We must wait for the outcome [from Ronaldo’s test], I think the result will come tonight,” Pirlo said at a press conference.
Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo waits for Cristiano Ronaldo’s test results and said he will ‘count on the players available to sacrifice themselves’ against Barcelona.
Pirlo said the Old Lady expect the test results from Cristiano Ronaldo’s last swab for coronavirus tonight but doesn’t know if the Portugal international starts even if he tests negative.
“We must wait for the outcome [from Ronaldo’s test], I think the result will come tonight,” Pirlo said at a press conference.
“First we wait for the outcome and then we'll see. For now, everything is still on the high seas and then we’ll see.
“We hope to evaluate it, even if it’s hard after 15 days out.”
The coach confirmed he’s without captain Giorgio Chiellini and Matthijs de Ligt, as Leonardo Bonucci tries to recover from a muscle problem in time for the match against the Blaugrana.
“Chiellini will not be there, Bonucci will try to recover and we haven’t received the go ahead from the doctor for De Ligt.
“We will count on the players we have available. Barcelona are strong and have great champions, we must play a great game.
“The players will certainly have to sacrifice themselves and play a great match. I’ll go ahead with the back four because I only have four defenders. So, we’ll go on like this.”
Andrea Pirlo said Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata 'played well' against Hellas Verona and said American midfielder Weston McKennie won’t be used in defence tomorrow.
“They played well, it’s a pity they didn’t score. McKennie is training but I don’t believe he can play in defence tomorrow.”
Juventus are unbeaten under Pirlo but have only collected nine points from five League games so far.
In the Champions League, the Old Lady started with a 2-0 win against Dynamo Kiev and Pirlo said his team are currently ‘under construction’.
“I don’t know how much time, I hope to have the players available,” Pirlo added. “We are under construction, but we can’t lose points everywhere.
Both sides have picked up three points from the first round in the Champions League and Pirlo looks forward to the match against the Spanish giants, claiming Lionel Messi still requires special treatment.
“We are fortunate enough to compete with great clubs and great players. It’s not a decisive match but we are looking forward to being able to prove our worth,” he said.
“[Lionel] Messi is still at the top, I have faced him many times as a player and tomorrow for the first time as a coach.
“These players must be treated differently, hoping they are not at their best on the day.”
Another duel in the match is the one between Ansu Fati and Dejan Kulusevski and Pirlo believes they both have unique opportunities.
“They are two players with great prospects, but they’re different. They play with the two greatest players of the time and therefore have the opportunity to learn from them every day.”