How Antonio Conte Can Save Juventus' Champions League Dreams

Antonio Conte is on the brink of sealing his legacy as one of the greatest Juventus managers.

Domestic dominance with back-to-back Scudetti has appeased Juventini who have relished in the Old Lady's return to the top of Serie A, but there is a burning desire for Juve to rise to the top of European football.

Despite holding many more Scudetti than Milan, the Rossoneri have five more European titles, which is something that Conte will look to amend during his time at the helm in Turin.

The 3-5-2 has worked magnificently over the first two seasons and even when Juve were eliminated from the Champions League in the first season back, it could easily have been swept under the carpet, given that they lost to a Bayern Munich side that eventually won the tournament.

Conte appears to realise that despite strengthening the squad last summer, the system is not quite right to tackle the absolute elite-level competition in the Champions League.

Against Real Madrid, we have seen a 4-3-3 trialled, and I believe Conte is gradually adding another dimension to the side, enabling greater versatility and tactical variety when pitted against sides who can match their talent.

Carlos Tevez is a key player, because without the natural width in the final third, the Argentine can fit in by operating from the wing, always with the intention of joining the centre-forward.

Therefore, Conte can maintain some of the defensive solidarity and midfield dominance by using somebody like Claudio Marchisio as a faux winger on the opposite flank, whose role will change depending on whether Juve are in possession or not.

Juve's hopes are dependent upon themselves, which is all that Conte can ask for with two matches remaining in Group B.

Victory over Copenhagen at the Juventus Stadium should be relatively routine, as the draw in Denmark was slightly unfair considering their dominance.

It is the match in Istanbul that will decide their destiny and whether it is a victory or avoiding defeat will depend on what Galatasaray do in their penultimate match away to Real Madrid.

In all probability, Roberto Mancini's side will not be able to conjure up a victory, meaning that a draw at the Turk Telekom Arena will be enough for Juve.

Conte will be confident he can achieve this, as last season, Juve managed to travel to Donetsk on the final game of the group, achieving victory to top Shakhtar and holders Chelsea.

With Real Madrid almost assured of the top spot, a runner-up spot will have to suffice, but this will be adequate considering their early struggles in the opening four matches.

Despite not achieving home advantage in the second leg of the last 16, Juve will be confident that they can achieve progression with such a formidable squad and extra experience utilising a new system successfully.

Conte has cleverly managed his players thus far, making use of squad options such as Angelo Ogbonna, Martin Caceres and Fabio Quagliarella to ensure that there are enough choices to chop and change between systems and tactics.

Conte is successfully expanding his tactical repertoire, and if he can successfully negotiate these final two group matches, he will know that Juve are psychologically strong enough to make a deep run in this competition and come ever closer to adding a third title to the Turin side's huge trophy cabinet.