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Arsenal v Borussia Dortmund: Klopp visits Emirates amid switch rumours
24 November 2014
Jurgen Klopp could be forgiven for trying to making himself comfortable when Borussia Dortmund visit Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League.
With Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger coming under increasing pressure following a disappointing start to the season, Klopp has been mooted as a potential successor should Arsenal choose to end the Frenchman's 17-year stint at the club anytime soon.
Klopp openly hinted this week that any offers from the Premier League would have to be given serious consideration, but his immediate focus will be on securing top spot in Group D on Wednesday.
Dortmund - whose own dismal domestic form sees them languishing in 16th in the Bundesliga - have already booked their place in the round of 16, but will progress as pool winners with a point against Arsenal.
Wenger's men are also desperately chasing the single point that will see them into the knockout stages, and Wojciech Szczesny is keen to banish memories of a 3-3 draw with Anderlecht last time out in this competition, when Arsenal threw away a three-goal advantage.
Arsenal suffered a 2-1 defeat when Dortmund visited the Emirates Stadium last season, but the Polish goalkeeper - a doubt for Wednesday's match after colliding with Kieran Gibbs during a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday - is confident the north London outfit can pick up a positive result this time around.
"We all know that our last match in the Champions League at home to Anderlecht was disappointing," Szczesny told the club's website. "But we must put that behind us and we're all ready to bounce back against Dortmund and hopefully get a place in the last 16.
"Dortmund are a very good counter-attacking team. They press your midfielders very well and are quick to attack as soon as they get possession. They've got some great finishers as well, so going forward they are very strong.
"Last season we lost at home and won away, so we hope this season we can turn it around and get a result against them at home.
"We have confidence for Wednesday’s match knowing that we have recently beaten them. If we put in a good performance at home we know we can win.
"We know that we only need one point from our last two matches to qualify for the last 16, but we know that we have not made it yet.
"We're playing at home in front of our fans and we’re confident that we can put in a good performance and qualify."
Arsenal, who will also qualify if Anderlecht's clash with Galatasaray ends all square, will be boosted by the news that Dortmund star Marco Reus has been ruled out until the new year with an ankle injury.
The attacker picked up the ligament tear during his side's 2-2 draw with Paderborn on Saturday.
Wednesday's hosts, meanwhile, will be without the fit-again Olivier Giroud, who was not registered as part of Arsenal's Champions League squad, while Jack Wilshere (ankle) is understood to be set for a fortnight on the sidelines with an ankle problem picked up against United.
Anderlecht v Galatasaray: Faint hopes remain alive in Belgium
24 November 2014
Anderlecht and Galatasaray go head-to-head on Wednesday each trying to keep their faint hopes of UEFA Champions League progression alive.
The Belgian and Turkish clubs sit five and six points adrift of second-placed Arsenal with two games to play, but will be hoping the stuttering Londoners slip up against Group D's dominant leaders Borussia Dortmund this week.
Should Jurgen Klopp's side leave the Emirates Stadium with three points, a win for either Gala or Anderlecht at the Stade Constant Vanden Stock would keep them in contention going into the final matchday.
However, a repeat of the sides' 1-1 draw in September would eliminate the pair.
Besnik Hasi's side head into the game having dropped points in the Jupiler League for the fourth time this season directly ahead of a Champions league game.
Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Charleroi saw Anderlecht relinquish top spot domestically and though Hasi - who claimed in jest he would happily change all 11 players - admits looking too far ahead may be an issue, he has backed his team to respond in the best way.
"Maybe it's been a factor [looking ahead to Champions League fixtures]," he said.
"But if that is the case, this is not the right mindset to have because if we had won we would have approached the visit of Galatasaray with a positive outlook.
"Maybe it will be a good thing, it will bring everyone back down to earth.
"I have no doubts about the group. They are young and they have many qualities.
"I'm sure they will show this on Wednesday."
Hasi will have to make do without Matias Suarez (knee), but will give Steven Defour every chance to recover from a calf injury.
While Anderlecht will rely on Gala beating Arsenal on matchday six if they are victorious, Cesare Prandelli's side face a huge task to overtake the Londoners - needing to overturn a 4-1 defeat to win their head-to-head battle as well as the right results this week.
Prandelli is under huge pressure after an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Trabzonspor on Saturday also saw Gala give up top spot in their domestic league.
The Turkish side have conceded four goals in each of their last three European outings and defeat on Wednesday would see them unable to overtake Anderlecht to make the UEFA Europa League as the pool's third-placed side.
Gala fans were heard calling for Prandelli to resign at the weekend and defeat in Belgium will do his chances of remaining in the hotseat no favours.
The Italian will be without influential midfielder Blerim Dzemaili as he serves a one-match suspension.
Bayer Leverkusen v Monaco: Germans looking to progress
24 November 2014
Bayer Leverkusen will reach the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds if they avoid defeat against Monaco at the BayArena on Wednesday.
A win for Roger Schmidt's team will guarantee top spot in the highly competitive Group C, while a draw will be enough to secure a spot in the last 16.
Leverkusen fans may be expecting their side to progress from the group stage for the third time in four seasons, having enjoyed an unbeaten start at home since Schmidt arrived from Red Bull Salzburg in pre-season.
Six wins and three draws from nine outings on home soil have helped Leverkusen to fourth in the Bundesliga and first place in their Champions League pool, where each side can still go through.
A 3-1 win over Hannover on Saturday also brought relief to the BayArena faithful as striker Stefan Kiessling ended a 10-game and 859-minute goal drought domestically and Schmidt expects that breakthrough to prompt a change in mentality for the 30-year-old.
"The goal was valuable, it gives him peace," he is quoted as saying by Bild. "The discussion is over.
"Even if he had not scored a goal, he once again had a great game."
Monaco are the only side to avoid defeat to Leverkusen in this year's competition after a 1-0 victory at Stade Louis II, but Joao Moutinho's winner in that game is their only goal in the group stage so far.
A pair of goalless draws and a 1-0 defeat at Benfica last time out leaves Monaco perilously close to the Portuguese side and Group C's other team, Zenit.
Their European form is largely reflected in Ligue 1, where Monaco have drawn four of their last six games to leave them in eighth – well adrift of the league's leading pack of Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille and Lyon.
Coach Leonardo Jardim has constructed a youthful side since losing star names such as James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao, but concedes his players have plenty to improve upon before they become the challengers at home and abroad they were expected to be after being bankrolled back into contention.
He told Canal+: "Sometimes they still have to learn. We grant them too easily a star status, but I think youngsters are not that professional.
"You have to remind them of training times, discipline and the needs of the job.
"They have the chance to play in the first team and they think they have made it."
Wendell returns to Leverkusen's European squad after serving a one-game ban last time out while Simon Rolfes and Gonzalo Castro's returns from injury against Hannover give Schmidt a further boost, but Stefan Reinartz (eye socket) and Kyriakos Papadopoulos (knee) are out.
Former Leverkusen striker Dimitar Berbatov returned from a thigh injury in Monaco's 2-2 draw with Caen this weekend, but Layvin Kurzawa remains sidelined with a similar complaint.
Mourinho hails "fantastic" Chelsea The Portuguese was delighted with his side's display in Germany as they swept aside the challenge of former boss Roberto Di Matteo
Awesome Aguero foils Bayern Munich and rescues Manchester City yet again COMMENT: The Argentine's hat-trick gave City the unlikeliest of victories after Pep Guardiola's men controlled much of the match even after going down to 10 men
Sporting Lisbon 3-1 Maribor: Nani helps hosts go second With Schalke thrashed at home by Chelsea in the group's other game, the Portuguese outfit have their Champions League fate in their own hands ahead of matchday six
Late goal felt like a punch from Mike Tyson - Totti The Giallorossi skipper was left frustrated by his side's late concession in Moscow, which threw the race for second spot in Champions League Group E wide open
Manchester City 3-2 Bayern Munich: Incredible Aguero rescues qualification hopes Manuel Pellegrini's side were heading out of the Champions League against a side who were down to 10 men for the majority before the Argentine bagged his second and third late
APOEL 0-4 Barcelona: Messi smashes Champions League record The Argentine surpassed Raul's long-standing mark shortly after Luis Suarez had opened his Blaugrana account and then added two more for his second hat-trick in three days
PSG 3-1 Ajax: Ibrahimovic & Cavani combine to down Dutch champions Davy Klaassen looked to have earned the visitors a point but the hosts' Sweden international responded with a stunner before his Uruguayan accomplice netted his second of the game
Shakhtar Donetsk 0-1 Athletic Bilbao: San Jose earns Basques first win The defender side-footed home a cross from Benat to earn the visitors a surprise victory in Ukraine, though the hosts progressed to the last 16 thanks to BATE's loss to Porto
Schalke 0-5 Chelsea: Mourinho's men cruise into Champions League last 16 The Blues guaranteed a place at the top of their group after a dominating victory over club hero Roberto Di Matteo's side in Gelsenkirchen, playing some excellent football
Messi breaks Raul's Champions League record The Argentine struck another hat-trick at APOEL on Tuesday and is now the all-time top goalscorer in the Champions League with 74
Liverpool need first goal against Ludogorets, admits Rodgers With the Reds coming into a must-win Champions League game after three consecutive defeats in the competition, the Northern Irishman wants to settle nerves with the first strike
Klopp looking forward to Arsenal 'holiday' European competition is the perfect escape from their domestic troubles, according to BVB's charismatic coach
CSKA Moscow 1-1 Roma: Berezutskiy snatches a point at the death after Totti thunderbolt The veteran's fierce free kick just before half-time was cancelled out with the last kick of the game to leave the group poised on a knife-edge
BATE 0-3 Porto: Martinez and Herrera send Portuguese side clear Two goals in nine second-half minutes and a late strike from Cristian Tello put the visitors in pole position to top their Champions League group
Khedira and Pepe out of Real Madrid trip to Basel The Germany midfielder and Portugal defender have not been included in the squad to face the Swiss champions, though Asier Illarramendi has been deemed fit enough
Koscielny boost for Arsenal but Walcott & Wilshere out of Dortmund clash The Frenchman is set to feature for the first time since last month's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge but the English duo are missing with injuries
The former Blues boss saw his Schalke side demolished by Jose Mourinho's men, and he was far from happy with how his players stood off their counterparts
Roberto Di Matteo has apologised to Schalke’s fans following their 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea, admitting his side gave the Premier League leaders too much respect.
The Konigsblauen dropped to third place in Group G of the Champions League after being overrun by Jose Mourinho’s side, and the former Chelsea boss conceded that his current charges made it too easy for their visitors.
“When you concede in the first minute the match becomes even more difficult than it already was,” Di Matteo told Sky TV.
“We gave them too much respect and gave them space, and they exploited that brutally. We did not win enough duels and we were too far away to recover balls. It is a big problem when you give Chelsea’s players so much space.
“I am sorry we performed like this in front of our fans.”
Defender Benedikt Howedes was at a loss to explain his side’s submission.
“I am having trouble finding suitable words for this,” he added. “I can only apologise to all the people that came to the stadium.”
Chelsea’s victory secures their progression as group winners, and Germany international Andre Schurrle was quick to laud his team’s fantastic resources.
“We have incredible depth in our squad,” he told Sky. “Everybody who is on the pitch gives 100 per cent. We have quality at the back and we have quality upfront. That is our advantage.”
Schalke face Maribor in their final group fixture needing a win and a Chelsea victory over Sporting Lisbon if they are to reach the last 16.
Basel deserved a draw against Real Madrid - Schar The Switzerland international has taken great encouragement out of his side's display against the European Cup holders ahead of their crunch clash with Liverpool at Anfield
Mandzukic: Atletico can beat anyone in Europe Diego Simeone's side booked their place in the knockout stage of the Champions with one round to spare and the Croat is confident of their chances of glory
Hulk: No extra satisfaction from eliminating Benfica The ex-Porto ace claimed he has never had any issue with the Eagles, whom he helped eliminate from the Champions League on Tuesday night
Liverpool slip up against Ludogorets is 'irrelevant' - Rodgers The Reds led their Bulgarian opponents for most of the Champions League encounter before a late concession but would have needed to beat Basel in their final game either way
Klopp: Arsenal deserved their win The Dortmund coach has conceded that his team were not good enough to get anything from Wednesday's encounter, losing 2-0 to the Gunners
Ronaldo equals Raul's Champions League tally The Portugal international turned in a cross from Karim Benzema to move level with the Blancos icon on 71 goals, meaning he is now just three shy of record-holder Lionel Messi
Madrid equal best-ever run with 15th straight win Real's 1-0 victory at Basel on Wednesday saw Carlo Ancelotti's side match a club record set by Miguel Munoz's men in 1961 and Jose Mourinho's team in 2011
Anderlecht 2-0 Galatasaray: Mbemba books Europa League place for Belgians The 20-year-old's double saw the home side open up a four point gap over their Turkish visitors and ensured they remain in European football beyond the winter break
Malmo 0-2 Juventus: Llorente and Tevez on target as Bianconeri boost qualification hopes The Spaniard broke the deadlock four minutes after the interval before his strike partner sealed three precious points for the Italian champions with a late strike
Bayer Leverkusen 0-1 Monaco: Ocampos steals win for visitors The Ligue 1 side are now second in the group and only need to hold Zenit to a draw in the last game to ensure they progress to the last 16
Arsenal 2-0 Borussia Dortmund: Sanogo & Alexis send Gunners through The French striker scored his first competitive Gunners goal just over a minute into the game before the Chilean booked their passage with an excellent finish on the hour
Ludogorets 2-2 Liverpool: Draw sets up must-win Basel clash for Reds Simon Mignolet's error gave the Bulgarians an early lead before Rickie Lambert and Jordan Henderson turned it around but a late equaliser denied the Reds a morale-boosting win
Atletico Madrid 4-0 Olympiakos: Mandzukic hat-trick fires hosts into next round The Croatia striker added to Raul Garcia's early opener to secure last seasons Champions League finalists' place in the last 16
Basel 0-1 Real Madrid: Ronaldo earns Blancos club-record 15th successive win The Portugal international moved level with Raul in the Champions League's all-time leading goalscorers' list after bundling home a cross from Karim Benzema
Jesus frustrated by wasteful Benfica The Lisbon giants suffered yet more Champions League woe and won't even get to play in the Europa League after defeat in Russia
Zenit 1-0 Benfica: Danny dumps compatriots out of Champions League The Portuguese ace struck with just 11 minutes to go in Russia to lift Andre Villas-Boas' side into second place in Group C and end the Eagles' qualifications hopes
The Turkish team will finish bottom of their Champions League group after losing to Anderlecht on Wednesday, which has proven to be the final straw for the Istanbul club
Galatasaray have decided to part company with Cesare Prandelli following the club's Champions League exit this week, according to the club's president.
The former Italy boss replaced Roberto Mancini over the summer but has been unable to guide the club beyond the group stages of the competition.
Defeat to Anderlecht on Wednesday means that they will finish bottom of Group D and not get a chance to play Europa League football in the latter half of the campaign.
Although reports in Italy suggest that the ex-Fiorentina coach has not yet been told he is up for the axe, the Turk Telekom Arena club chief Abdurrahim Albayrak confirmed the imminent sacking to Turkish media.
He told Anadolu Agency: "We have decided we will no longer be working with Cesare Prandelli."
Domestically, Prandelli has fared a little better, with the club picking up 19 points from their opening 10 games, leaving them third in the table, one point behind joint leaders Besiktas and Fenerbahce.
However, a 3-0 defeat to Trabzonspor last weekend, followed by a poor European campaign, has proven to be the final straw, with assistant coach Claudio Taffarel reported to be set to take temporary charge.
Basel charged by Uefa over pitch invasion v Real Madrid
Nov 27, 2014 16:54:24
A number of the Swiss side's supporters entered the field of play during the game at St. Jakob-Park and the incident will now be dealt with on December 11
Basel have been charged by Uefa over a pitch invasion during their Champions League match against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
A number of supporters made their way on to the pitch in the closing stages of the encounter at St Jakob-Park, which the visitors won 1-0 courtesy of a 35th-minute goal from star forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
Uefa announced on Thursday that disciplinary proceedings had been opened in relation to the incident, explaining that Basel had been charged with breaching security regulations related to fans entering the field of play.
"The case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on December 11, 2014," read a statement released by the European game's governing body.
Basel are currently in pole position to join Group B winners in the last 16 of the Champions League, with the Swiss side currently second in the standings, two points clear of both Liverpool and Ludogorets.
However, Paulo Sousa's men must travel to Anfield on matchday six, meaning they will have to avoid defeat in order to progress to the knockout stage.
Rodgers hears history calling for Liverpool players
8 December 2014
Brendan Rodgers has challenged his players to write their own chapter in Liverpool’s illustrious history on Tuesday.
Only a victory in the Group B home clash against Basel will be enough for Liverpool to prolong what has so far proved to be a testing return to the UEFA Champions League.
The Anfield club claimed European football's top prize for a fifth time in 2005, and also needed some final-night heroics to take their campaign beyond Christmas that season and towards an unforgettable final triumph over Milan.
Liverpool needed to beat Olympiacos by two goals to reach the knockout stages - something they achieved when captain Steven Gerrard lashed home a magnificent half-volley in the dying minutes to seal a 3-1 win and spark delirious scenes.
A decade on from that memorable night, Rodgers wants his stuttering squad to spark similar passions in the Anfield terraces.
"This is a competition which has great history for Liverpool," he told his pre-match press conference on Monday.
"The Olympiacos game was obviously a part of that great history.
"It's an opportunity for the players now to qualify and make sure that they write themselves into folklore by winning the game.
"We see this as opportunity rather than threat to anything. We want to qualify and hopefully that will give us confidence in the league.
"We don't need to win games in first minute - European football is technical and tactical. We have 90 minutes plus. We need retain our patience
"In my time here we've had number of games deemed must-win and more times than not, we have won them."
Having only featured from the bench during Saturday's goalless draw with Sunderland, much of the pre-game focus will be on Gerrard 10 years on from one of his most famous acts in the red shirt.
"In terms of Steven, we can't be just relying solely on him - this has to be about a team performance with players all over the park taking responsibility," Rodgers added.
"For us it's about the collective and for us to get the result tomorrow night we need the whole team to be functioning well and playing at a good level of performance."
Rickie Lambert is expected to lead a depleted Liverpool attack once more, as Rodgers confirmed Mario Balotelli's groin injury is likely to keep him on the sidelines.
"I very much doubt any of the players at the weekend who weren't available will be ready," he continued.
The Bianconeri only need a draw to seal their place in the 16 but know that a victory by two clear goals would see them pip the Rojiblancos to top spot on the head-to-head record
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has warned his players to expect a raucous atmosphere and the "best Juventus" in Turin on Tuesday night.
The Rojiblancos sit three points clear at the top of Group A and have already qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League, thanks in no small part to a 1-0 win over the Italian titleholders on matchday two.
Massimiliano Allegri's men need a draw to ensure their progression at the expense of third-placed Olympiacos but can still finish first if they defeat Atleti by two clear goals.
As a result, Simeone believes the Italian champions will go all out for victory in front of their home fans.
"It is an important match," the Argentine told a news conference on Monday. "At home, they are even stronger, with a very good atmosphere.
"We have to play with our heads. What we're going to find here will be very different [to their previous meeting at the Vicente Calderon] and it is not going to be like what we have experienced in other stadiums.
"Tomorrow's game is different, with respect to those who we have already played [Olympiacos and Malmo].
"It is also very important to see who finishes first, who finishes second and also to see who will get through the group, because if Juventus lose they may not get through [Olympiakos need an eight-goal swing to progress].
"Juventus, because of their history, are not allowed to fail to qualify. All this will be in the game, on the field. We have to play the game well.
"I'm expecting the best Juventus. Tomorrow [Tuesday] we will have to deal with the atmosphere of a final."
It had been rumoured that the Germany international had been told he was no longer No.1 at BVB but the coach says he will decide who starts on a game-by-game basis
Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has denied that Mitchell Langerak has displaced Roman Weidenfeller as his first-choice goalkeeper.
Weidenfeller was dropped to the bench for Saturday's crucial Bundesliga clash with Hoffenheim, with Langerak starting in his stead in the 1-0 win at Signal Iduna Park.
However, Klopp denied a report that he has informed Weidenfeller that Langerak is Dortmund's new No.1.
"If I had decided to let Mitchell play the rest of the season, I would have told Roman, but that's not the case," the BVB coach told reporters on the eve of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Anderlecht.
"It is always about the moment and not about previous achievements. [Saturday's] was a decision taken for that moment.
"I believe in Roman Weidenfeller 100 per cent, but in Mitchell, too. That's all.
"I won't say who will play against Anderlecht."
However, Klopp confirmed that Mats Hummels is fit for a game that BVB need to win in order to win in order to seal top stop in Group D.
"He is fine," the 47-year-old trainer said of the Germany international defender. "He is benefitting from all the training sessions, so there is no problem.
"Sebastian Kehl is not available, though. He is suffering from a costal cartilage injury, but the rest of the team are fit."
Meanwhile, Marcel Schmelzer has admitted that he and his team-mates have been lifted by Saturday's victory over Hoffenheim, which has lifted BVB off the bottom of the Bundesliga.
"We fought for the win," the defender said. "Afterwards, we were very happy about it. It was a huge joy.
"But it was just the first step. The next should follow next weekend [against Hertha Berlin]."
The Frenchman has been struggling with an Achilles injury all season and will subsequently miss the clash with the Turkish side in Istanbul, along with Alexis Sanchez
Laurent Koscielny will miss Arsenal's Champions League clash with Galatasaray through injury.
Following an eight-week absence due to a persistent Achilles problem, the centre-back played against Southampton and West Brom in quick succession, but was not risked in the 3-2 defeat to Stoke City on Saturday.
And manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that the 29-year-old will not feature against the Turkish outfit, while Alexis Sanchez will also be absent, with Arsenal guaranteed progression.
"A few players [will not travel] because there's not a lot at stake and we have given a lot in the last two weeks," Wenger said.
"We have to recover a little bit. Alexis will not travel and I don't think I can play, for example, Koscielny.
"[Koscielny] didn't play on Saturday and I don't see why I should risk him for a game where’s there's not a lot at stake - first place hypothetically, but there’s maybe a 10 per cent chance."
Arsenal will top the group with a win if Dortmund lose to Anderlecht or, if the Bundesliga side draw, then Wenger's men will need to win by a big enough margin to overtake Jurgen Klopp's charges on goal difference or goals scored.
Kompany & Silva in contention for Manchester City's Champions League showdown
Dec 8, 2014 17:16:00
The club captain has missed the last two matches with a hamstring injury but was back in training on Monday, while the playmaker could also return after six weeks on the sidelines
By Paul Clennam
Manchester City have been boosted by the news that Vincent Kompany and David Silva are both in contention to play in Wednesday's crunch Champions League clash with Roma.
Star striker Sergio Aguero will miss the match thanks to a knee injury sustained in the 1-0 victory against Everton, and may not be back in action until the New Year.
But Kompany, who has missed City's last two matches after limping off against Southampton at the end of November, was back out on the training pitches on Monday morning and will undergo more rehabilitation work this week.
The Belgium international could lead his side out at the Stadio Olimpico as they look to seal an unlikely passage into the Champions League last 16.
He could well be joined by David Silva as the playmaker steps up his own recovery from a knee injury which has kept him out of action since the end of October.
Fernandinho and Stevan Jovetic sat out Saturday's win against the Toffees but will also be in line to return to the starting XI in Italy, while Edin Dzeko managed 30 minutes at the weekend and is also likely to play some part in Aguero's absence.
City had looked set for a group stage exit following a home defeat to CSKA Moscow on match day four, but their remarkable 3-2 victory at home to Bayern Munich, after trailing 2-1 going into the final five minutes, means a win against Roma will be enough to secure a second-placed finish, provided the Russian side do not win in Munich.
Juventus must beat Atletico to top spot, says Allegri
By Stefan Coerts
Dec 8, 2014 12:13:00
The Bianconeri boss has told his men they need the three points in order to boost their chances of going far in Europe
Massimiliano Allegri has insisted it's vital for Juventus to beat Atletico Madrid and finish top of their Champions League section in order to have a better chance of going far in the competition.
The Serie A champions currently sit second in Group A with nine points from five games, trailing leaders Atletico by three points, but a win by two goals would seem them leapfrog the Spanish side.
"Our aim is to get through as group winners. It would enable us to face a second-placed team in the next round," Allegri said at a press conference.
"It's crucial for us to get to the last 16. We need to put in a strong display from a technical standpoint.
"Juve and Atletico are both excellent teams. Atleti won La Liga and were a whisker away from lifting the Champions League.
"Diego Simeone's done a fine job. Finishing above Real Madrid and Barcelona is a top achievement, as is getting to the Champions League final.
"We're playing for first place and a spot in the knockout stages. They need to think about holding on to top spot.
"The Champions League round of 16 is our first target of the season. Tuesday we have the opportunity to achieve it."
Juve were beaten 1-0 by Atletico at the Vicente Calderon earlier this season.
