New Juventus signing Medhi Benatia has declared Juventus ready to compete for the Champions League trophy, one they have not won in 20 years.
The Moroccan defender has joined the club on a season-long loan deal from German champions Bayern Munich, with the option to purchase on a permanent basis for a price of €17 million.
Having made a name for himself in Italy with Udinese (2010-2013) and then Roma (2013-14), Benatia has earned a reputation as one of the finest defenders in the Serie A and returns from a difficult two-year spell with Bayern.
With fellow new signing and former Roma teammate Miralem Pjanic dubbed by fans as the missing piece of the Champions League puzzle, Benatia stressed the collective strength of the Old Lady.
“Juventus is already a super strong club, up there with the best teams in Europe,” he said.
“The proof is in the fact they made the Champions League Final two years ago and last year in the Round of 16, ‘they’ lost against Bayern Munich but ‘they’ as Juventus deserved to go through.”
“One single player cannot change the story in football but I know Miralem [Pjanic] very well. He is a great signing.”
“Juventus was and is definitely ready to compete for the Champions League trophy.”
Juventus are in town for the International Champions Cup, presented by Audi, and are set to tackle Melbourne Victory at the MCG on Saturday night, before clashing with Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.
Benatia said the matches are critical as Juventus prepare for their Serie A title defence, which is only a month away.
“We do not know much about Melbourne Victory. I do not know what to expect but at the same time, it is very important for Juventus to start getting the rhythm for the games,” he said.
“In that respect it is a crucial match.”
“We’re happy with the weather because it is suitable for our preparations. In that respect it is not too cold and is actually quite perfect.”
On a personal note, Benatia said breaking into a Juventus defence packed with such depth would be difficult but is expecting to be part of coach Massimiliano Allegri’s season-long plans.
“I am expecting to be part of the squad. For a new signing in a team it is always difficult but it will be up to Allegri because the season is long,” he said.
The Old Lady defence is arguably the finest in Europe and is headlined by the Italian wall known as the ‘BBC’ – Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini – also featuring the likes of Patrice Evra, Alex Sandro, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Dani Alves and promising up and comer, Daniele Rugani.
