Lech have Juve in their sights

Lech Poznan defender Bartosz Bosacki believes his team will have all of Poland supporting them in their Europa League clash with Juventus.

The Polish outfit head into Wednesday night’s game with the Italian giants as the surprise leaders in Group A – level on seven points with Manchester City – and could secure passage into the competition’s last 32 with a win over Juve at home.

Bosacki believes Polish football fans will put club allegiances aside on Wednesday to help spur on Lech into the next stage, in what are expected to be bitterly cold conditions in eastern Europe.

“We will receive support not only from fans in Poznan but from all of Poland,” Bosacki said.

“We have to be prepared for extreme conditions on the evening of the match but I don’t think that snow and frost will give us any advantage. The Juventus players have already played in very low temperatures.”

Club captain Bosacki believes Lech must give the Italians their full attention on Wednesday if they are to get a result.

“We are close to reaching the knockout stage but on the pitch we cannot think about the next round because we have to fully focus on Juventus,” the 34-year-old said.

Lech coach Jose Maria Bakero agreed with his captain and said the clash with Juventus would be a great occasion for the club.

“Juventus are a team you have to approach with special attention, a big club with huge tradition and great supporters,” Bakero said.

“I am really happy to have the chance to play Juventus. Matches like this one will always last in players’ memories.”

Juventus boss Luigi Delneri said his club would give their all to post their first win of the tournament – having drawn their four games so far – and ensure their hopes of qualifying for the final 32 stay alive.

“I do not differentiate between the UEFA Europa League and Serie A,” Delneri said.

“Both of them have huge importance for us. At the beginning of the season we had some bad luck and this has led to the current situation in the Europa League. At this point we are focusing only on reaching the knockout phase.”