Juve's Allegri ready for tough test against Barca

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said on Monday that his team must be firing on all cylinders when they face Champions League Group D rivals Barcelona who are one of the strongest teams in the world alongside European champions Real Madrid. Allegri steered his side past the Spaniards in the quarter-finals of last season's competition but despite that, and Barca's loss of forward Neymar to Paris St Germain for a world record fee, he believes the Catalans remain tough opponents.

?? @FCBarcelona ? Juventus ⚪️⚫️ Get game ready for @ChampionsLeague Matchday One ➡️ https://t.co/isbLfxmxIw #FCBJuve #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/8un7hXhYNQ

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) September 11, 2017

Juve visit Ernesto Valverde's Barca in their opening group match on Tuesday and Allegri said it would be extraordinary if his team could keep a clean sheet against them for the third time in 2017 following their 3-0 aggregate victory in April.

Allegri: It'd be 'extraordinary' if Barcelona didn't score against us again https://t.co/2oFIWbRcE2

— SPORT English (@Sport_EN) September 11, 2017

"I know (Barcelona) well, this will be the twelfth time playing against them," Allegri told a news conference on Monday. "To try again against (Barca forward Lionel) Messi will be a huge stimulus. "Despite losing Neymar, Barcelona are, along with Real Madrid, the strongest team in the world. To go three games against them without conceding a goal (this year) would be extraordinary. "I repeat, along with Real Madrid they are favourites to win the Champions League."

Barcelona are going through a turbulent time both on and off the pitch, but Juventus should not underestimate them. https://t.co/VasjRPjzzM pic.twitter.com/ni6ydfujAI

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 11, 2017

Juventus lost last season's Champions League final 4-1 to Real Madrid in Cardiff and Allegri urged his team to start their new European campaign with a bang. "It's the first game of the Champions League after last year's run and the disappointment of defeat. We have to return and start with great enthusiasm and desire," he said.

Juventus? PSG? Atletico Madrid? The five teams best equipped to end Real Madrid's #UCL dominance. https://t.co/TpdK7jCjib pic.twitter.com/WNEx3NPIcn

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 11, 2017

"Winning the Champions League can't be an objective, it is a dream."

Juventus prepare to face Barcelona again in the #UCL... Who will come out on top this time? ? pic.twitter.com/R319emxhP9

— #UCL (@ChampionsLeague) September 11, 2017