Trezeguet urges focus - 7M sport

Trezeguet urges focus

Posted Tuesday, November 03, 2009 by PA

Juventus striker David Trezeguet has urged his team-mates to put all thoughts of their defeat against Napoli to their back of their minds as they seek victory against Maccabi Haifa in Wednesday's Champions League clash.

The Bianconeri go into the game on the back of Saturday's surprise 3-2 loss, which saw them drop seven points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

The result marked Juve's first league defeat at home in nine months.

"It's an ugly defeat considering we were leading 2-0," said Trezeguet.

"But we need to have a positive outlook.

"There are still many games left to play in the domestic season and, although we know we have a lot of work to do, we are aware that we will have a chance to recover.

"We cannot think too much about this defeat because on Tuesday we have a crucial Champions League game.

"Depending on how we respond to this game, it will reveal the true value of this group."

The Turin giants travel to Israel sitting second in Group A, two points behind leaders Bordeaux.

With the French side facing a more challenging task when they travel to the Allianz Arena to meet third-place Bayern Munich, Ciro Ferrara's men know a win in Israel could see them take command of the group.

"It's a key game for us in our European adventure," said Juve forward Amauri. "We cannot fail, we must take all three points."

The Bianconeri will be without the injured Alessandro Del Piero, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Jonathan Zebina and Mohammed Sissoko.

However, winger Mauro Camoranesi has travelled with the team despite needing four stitches in a head wound he sustained against Napoli.

Maccabi will be hoping to break their duck having failed to claim a point or even score a goal so far in the group.

But Juve will not take Maccabi lightly, and for good reason.

Elisha Levi's side made life difficult for the Turin giants last month, with Giorgio Chiellini's goal proving the only difference between the two sides.

And Levi, whose team had to play with 10 men for 22 minutes in Turin following Tiago Dutra's sending off, believes they can reverse the outcome.

"It's going to be difficult because Juventus have lots of stars," said Levi. "But we already showed that we can put them under pressure in our last game and, hopefully, we can take a good result at home."

The Israeli champions go into the encounter in buoyant mood after continuing their perfect start to the Ligat Ha'Al by beating Maccabi Netanya 2-0 on Saturday.

The result marked their eighth successive league victory.

The hosts will be without midfielders Baram Kayal and Dutra, who are both serving one-match bans.

Midfielder Eyal Golasa is still sidelined with a hip injury while Levi will be hoping Brazilian midfielder Gustavo Boccoli recovers from an ankle problem.

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