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After Saturday\u2019s defeat against league leaders Napoli ended Juventus\u2019 unbeaten run to begin the domestic season, the Bianconeri turn their attention to the Champions League, where they prepare to face Portuguese giants Benfica Wednesday night in Turin. <\/p>\n
Before the game, Juve manager Thiago Motta and Portuguese winger Francisco Concei\u00e7\u00e3o sat down to discuss team dynamics, the club\u2019s new signings, and the challenge ahead. <\/p>\n
Regarding the league phase finale, both Concei\u00e7\u00e3o \u2014 who, after arriving from Porto over the summer, brings regular experience against the Lisbon-based club \u2014 and Motta asserted that Benfica remain an especially difficult opponent. as well as their desire to win at home after last week\u2019s performances against Club Brugge and Napoli. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that Benfica are a quality team who like to keep the ball, but we want to focus on what we have to do and what we have been working on,\u201d Concei\u00e7\u00e3o said. \u201cWe are working hard to raise our game, especially in front of our fans; the internal competition pushes us to give our all every day, because we want to prove our capabilities.\u201d <\/p>\n
Likewise, Motta, who was criticized earlier this season for commenting that \u201cwinning is not an obsession\u201d and amid growing discussion regarding his suitability for his role at Juve, vehemently insisted that anything short of victory means failure. <\/p>\n
Motta said, \u201cTomorrow, we must be ready to do whatever it takes on the pitch, do it well, overcome our opponent and bring home the win.\u201d <\/p>\n
Even though Juventus have already secured their place in the next round of the Champions League where they\u2019ll most likely compete in the playoff round since a top-eight finish seems unlikely, Motta insisted that the club will approach the game like any other. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe will approach this match as if it were a knock-out game, because in a big club the only thing that counts is winning,\u201d Motta said. \u201cTomorrow, we have a great opportunity and we are ready to give 100 per cent, or even more.\u201d <\/p>\n