‘Juventus marked as a symbol of Italian football’

Lucas Moura believes Juventus are “the symbol of Italian football” after warning Tottenham Hotspur “they have the experience and nerves to qualify”.

Spurs left Juve with a credible 2-2 draw and consequently two away goals for Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg, but Lucas urged his side not take the Italians lightly.

“The 2-2 from the first leg was a good sign for us, but it would be a mistake to manage that result at Wembley,” the former Paris Saint-Germain winger told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Juventus are a great team, one of the best in Europe. They’ve been finalists twice in the last three editions of the Champions League.

“They have the experience and nerves to qualify, even on a trip like this. They’re a very balanced team, who know how to defend well and make the most of the chances they create.

“During the match in Turin, they were fulminating on the attack, but then we got at them.

“Still, that evening must be a warning for us: that Juventus are able to score two goals in a few minutes.

“I know Douglas Costa and Alex Sandro, who are also Brazilian. There’s also Matuidi, my former PSG teammate and a great player, who has adapted to life in Italy perfectly, famous names like Buffon and Chiellini, talents like Pjanic, a goalscorer like Higuain and that Argentine lad who has the numbers of a phenomenon, Dybala.

“Generally speaking, Juventus are the symbol of Italian football, who have won four world titles.”