Juventus will be favourites to progress into the semi-finals of the Champions League, when they face Monaco on Tuesday night.
There aren’t any easy games at this stage of the competition but the Italians will have been the happiest of the remaining teams with their quarter-final draw. Juventus have had another brilliant season with a 5-1 aggregate win over Borussia Dortmund in the last round, and sit a comfortable 12 points above nearest rivals Lazio in the Serie A table.
However, their confidence took a hit at the weekend when they lost only their second league game all season with a 1-0 loss to a struggling Parma, and will hope to bounce back to book an appearance in the semi-finals for the first time in a decade.
Monaco will be no pushovers after pulled of a shock in the last round knocking out Arsenal on away goals. They are also flying high in Ligue 1 with an eight-game unbeaten run, which includes a 3-0 win at Caen on Friday.
Midfielder Joao Moutinho is confident that his side could pull off another shock in Turin.
He told TuttoSport: “We say that they are the favourites, but then Arsenal were also favourites.
“For us it will not be easy, but we will give 200 per cent in order to achieve our goal. We want to play the semi-finals.
They will be wary of their arguably superior opposition, as they have never won Italy and their hosts have won their last 10 ties against French opposition.
Massimiliano Allegri is hoping that Andre Pirlo (calf) will be fit in time to slot into the midfield while: Luca Marrone, Paul Pogba, Martin Caceres, Romulo and Kwadwo Asamoah are all out. Allegri will also have an eye on: Stephan Lichsteiner, Alvaro Morata, Roberto Pereya and Arturo Vidal all a booking away from suspension. Left-back, Patrice Evra, could make an appearance against his old club.
Leonardo Jardim will only be without Lacina Traore and possibly Tiemoue Bakayoko, he will be sweating over the fitness of Jeremy Toulalan who limped out of the victory on Friday.