Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 7y

Juventus bid to secure Champions League knockout place against Lyon

Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira will team up in midfield for Juventus as they bid to secure a place in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday.

A win against Lyon at the Juventus Stadium would take them through to the knockout stage with two games to spare.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri told a news conference: "Marchisio's playing tomorrow.

"He gives us his experience and he's settled in very well to his role as our playmaker. Overall, we're in good shape. Khedira is fit and he will also play."

Juve are aiming to transform their domestic dominance into European glory this season, but Allegri warned: "You can only win the Champions League if you get through the group stage, so we'd be wise to think about Lyon and take things one step at a time.

"It's going to be a difficult game, like they all are in Europe. We need a good result tomorrow, knowing that it will be anything but easy.

"Our aim is to arrive at March and be competitive for the final rush of the season, in the league and in the Champions League.

"But we haven't got through the group stage yet -- so let's take it one step at a time."

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