Champions League Preview: Crunch Time for Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan

Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Fiorentina are the four teams representing Italy and Serie A in this season’s edition of the Champions League.

Out of the four, only Fiorentina have managed to secure their place in the last 16, whereas the other three (the Peninsula’s top three clubs) will get their fortunes of the final matchday.

Unless the top three in Serie A manage to pull off victories (or at least a draw in Juve’s case) they will all tumble out of the finest club competition in the world without even making it to the knock-out round.

Fortunately, the trio have their fates in their own hands.

Juventus

With group winners Bordeaux already booking a place in the last 16, only one spot is up for grabs. As Juventus currently lie second in Group A with eight points (one more than their Tuesday night opponents, Bayern Munich), they can follow the Frenchmen into the knock-out stages with a victory or a draw at the Olimpico Stadium in Turin.

The Italians have showcased some extremely inconsistent performances as of lately but will be somewhat confident after their morale-boosting derby win over bitter rivals Inter Milan during the weekend.

The only two victories the Old Lady has collected in the Champions League group stages thus far were in their double fixture against Maccabi Haifa.

Aside from that, Ciro Ferrara’s men only managed to pick up one point in their two encounters with Bordeuax along with a goalless draw against Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena.

Juve were dealt a huge blow ahead of the game as Giorgio Chiellini picked up a thigh problem and will be sidelined for 20 days. But even though the side is struggling with injuries, they are aware that it’s make it or break it against Bayern.

Although all aspects of the game aren’t currently functioning as well as they would like it, they just demonstrated that sheer will, determination and the courage to go forward and fight from the first minute really are the decisive factors, especially when facing a team fighting for survival.

"This game is more important than the one against Inter because it's like a final for us and Bayern. We cannot play for the draw because that is not the mentality of a team like Juve. I would be satisfied to see the same performance as the game against Inter. I would like to see the same spirit, the same level of concentration and desire to win." – Ciro Ferrara.

AC Milan

AC Milan looks to be following Real Madrid to the final 16, but first the Rossoneri will have to beat FC Zürich. Although it looks like Leonardo’s men have the easiest task in hand in comparison to their Serie A rivals, we must remember that the Swiss outfit defeated the Italians on their own turf a few months back.

Milan grabbed a 2-1 victory on the road to Marseilles in the opening round and followed up with the surprise defeat to FC Zürich before they collected an impressive four points in their double fixture with Real Madrid.

As Rossoneri failed to secure qualification in their second game against Marseilles, the Milanoutfit will have go for a victory, as a draw of defeat would see them tumbling out of the competition depending on the outcome of the Frenchmen’s fixture with Madrid.

After a poor start to the domestic season under the guidance of rookie coach Leonardo, the side has undergone quite a renaissance over the past couple of weeks and now lie in second in the domestic standings.

The confidence is at an all-time high in the Milan camp, but the players would do well  not to underestimate their opponents and keep their feet firmly planted on the ground.

"It's obviously going to be very difficult. We only have to depend on ourselves, so we have to think about our game. We have done some positive things recently. We don't care what happens in the other game: we want to write our own positive story. They will be motivated and we will have to keep our concentration. We are a mature team that has played important games before and we have to keep moving forward." – Leonardo.

Inter Milan

When Barcelona and Inter Milan were drawn alongside Rubin Kazan and Dynamo Kiev, the general public expected a cruise to qualification for the Spanish and Italian champions. However, the Russian and Ukrainian champions weren’t going to make it easy it an easy ride for the favorites.

Inter patron Massimo Moratti has (just like the past couple of seasons) made it crystal clear that the club’s priorities lie in the Champions League.

José Mourinho’s side collected three consecutive draws before managing an away victory to Dynamo followed by an away defeat to Barcelona.

Although the reigning champions are the dominant force in the domestic league, they are huge underachievers on the European scene.

Just like their Serie A colleagues, the Nerazzurri too have everything in their hands. However, coming straight off a defeat to Juventus may have dented their confidence somewhat.

Considering the fighting spirit the Russians have showcased during the group stages, it’s going to be everything but an easy game for the home side.

Inter undoubtedly have the quality, but unless they can overcome the mental block that’s keeping them from transferring their domestic style onto the European scene, Moratti will have to rearrange his priorities.

"We have no fear of Rubin. We are better and I think we will beat them tomorrow. There is no pressure. The team has to win and that's it." – José Mourinho.

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