Former Juventus striker Gianluca Vialli believes the club’s transformation in recent years has only increased their chances of Champions League success.
The Bianconeri have re-emerged as the dominant force in Serie A, winning five straight domestic A titles but initially struggled to transfer that form on to the European stage.
However, since taking over in 2014, boss Massimiliano Allegri has worked hard to make them more flexible and his efforts paid off as they reached the final of the Champions League the following year.
Although they lost to Bayern Munich in the round of 16 last term, they emerged with great credit form their performances against the Bavarians.
Juve begin their campaign in this season’s tournament at home to Sevilla on Wednesday, a game they are 1.53 to win, with the draw 4.20 and Los Rojiblancos 6.50.
Vialli won the Champions League with the club in 1996 and has been a keen observer of their transformation. Having spent time in the doldrums following the Calciopoli scandal, he believes Juventus are now back among the continent’s biggest clubs.
The Turin outfit are priced at 12.00 to win the Champions League and will be confident of justifying their status as 1.44 favourites to top group H, which also includes Lyon and Dinamo Zagreb.
Vialli admits he has been pleased with his former club’s revival and feels their change of attitude means they are again ready to make a big impact in the Champions League.
“Juve have a more European mentality,” Vialli told reporters, as reported by ANSA. “Juve are earning the respect of the big teams in Europe.”
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