High hopes for Juventus and København

FC København have yet to win at home in this season's Danish Super League but coach Ståle Solbakken is not ruling out the prospect of his team "surprising a few people" when they open their Group B programme against Juventus. As for the Italian champions, their coach Antonio Conte is aiming rather higher, suggesting his team could go all the way: "I definitely think we have a chance."

København
Ståle Solbakken, coach
We have three home matches to play and I believe we can trouble each of our opponents. This is a must-win match for Juventus, but not us. I'm not worried about us getting humiliated in any of our matches, though it will be tough. I believe we can surprise a few people. 

This team need to learn about the nature and atmosphere of Champions League matches. We are currently fighting hard in the Danish league and have only had around ten training sessions together. We need to improve individually and as a team. Our tactics need to be spot-on and we must be on top form.

The crowd have an important role to play. We need to stick to our passing philosophy, which has brought us success both domestically and in Europe. We are improving all the time, and if we can be more solid in defence, Juventus will get a surprise tomorrow. A good performance and result would give us encouragement and could even be a turning point.

Weekend result
Saturday: København 1-1 Esbjerg fB (Ankersen 19, Santin 85)
Wiland; Jacobsen, Sigurdsson, Mellberg, Bengtsson; Bolanos (Gislason 64), Kristensen (Braaten 64); Claudemir, Vitokele (Santin 75), Jørgensen; Adi.

• Daniel Braaten marked his club debut by setting up fellow substitute César Santin's equalising header seven minutes after the dismissal of Ragnar Sigurdsson. Yet the draw left FCK without a win at home since 15 March, and with seven points from eight matches they find themselves close to the relegation zone.

Team news
Solbakken has a full squad to choose from.

Juventus
Antonio Conte, coach
This is a tough period for us with seven matches in 25 days. It would be naive to think that we could field the same starting XI every match and there will definitely be changes due to tired players, but I have great belief in our squad and our playing style will remain the same no matter who plays.

This is the second year running for us to meet Danish opposition. I have seen København play a few times and it is surprising that they are struggling a bit with their performances. They have a good coach in Ståle Solbakken and have previously done well in this tournament. We got a 1-1 draw here last year against Nordsjælland [but] we are more experienced this season and the team are improving all the time.

It is a very exciting group. Real Madrid are chasing their tenth Champions League and must be considered favourites, followed by ourselves and Galatasaray, but København could cause a surprise. We are realistic – it takes a lot to get far in this tournament. I definitely think we have a chance of [winning] the trophy as outsiders. The dream is there and we believe in ourselves.

Weekend result
Saturday: FC Internazionale Milano 1-1 Juventus (Icardi 73; Vidal 75)
Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner (Isla 46), Pogba, Pirlo (Padoin 87), Vidal, Asamoah; Tévez, Vučinić (Quagliarella 72).

• Juventus dropped points for the first time this season despite Arturo Vidal's third goal in as many games. Saturday's Derby d'Italia marked Conte's 100th game in charge in all competitions; it was his 27th draw, with 64 wins and nine defeats.

Team news
Claudio Marchisio (knee), Martín Cáceres (knee) and Simone Pepe (thigh) are all ruled out while Conte is expected to rest Andrea Barzagli and Mirko Vučinić, with Angelo Ogbonna and Fabio Quagliarella ready to step up.

Match fact
• This is Juve's second visit to the Danish capital in successive seasons, following last term's 1-1 group stage draw at Nordsjælland in which Vučinić scored a late equaliser. The Italian champions were unbeaten as they won Group E, having defeated Nordsjælland 4-0 at the Juventus Stadium.