Di Gregorio: ‘Juventus must leave past behind, focus on Real Madrid’

Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio urges his teammates to ‘leave the past behind us, concentrate on the present and future’ with tonight’s Real Madrid battle.

It kicks off at the Estadio Bernabeu at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Atalanta-Slavia Prague on the Liveblog.

Although the Bianconeri played against Real Madrid in the Club World Cup over the summer in the USA, this is the first time Di Gregorio has set foot inside the iconic Bernabeu.

“It is certainly a childhood dream come true to play here,” Di Gregorio told Sky Sport Italia.

The team is in crisis after five draws and a defeat between Serie A and the Champions League, with reports that coach Igor Tudor could be sacked.

“We need to work hard, leave the past behind us, concentrate on the future starting from this evening. We’ve got to try to fight hard and be concentrated from the first minute to the last,” added Di Gregorio.

“Unity and focus are required, there are moments when we’ll have to suffer under pressure as a team, and then try to make the most of our scoring opportunities.”

As the goalkeeper was at Juventus last season too, when Thiago Motta was fired after a poor start to the campaign, does he see differences and similarities between the two situations?

“Seasons are long and it’s not right to talk too early. We have to focus on the present and the future, we are here and must try to play a great game.”