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Cape Town - Former
Chelsea and Inter Milan striker Hernan Crespo believes Barcelona are
favourites to beat Juventus in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
Crespo is of the opinion that, all other things being equal, the Catalans are simply the stronger side despite their last-16 scare against PSG, when they had to overcome a 4-0 first-leg deficit to reach the last eight.
“The way I see it is, if Barça and Juve are both at 100% the Blaugrana will go through. They’re stronger,” Crespo told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“That’s not to say though that [Lionel] Messi and his lads are at their best, they flopped in the first leg with Paris Saint-Germain.
“So Juve can have their say. One thing is for sure, [Max] Allegri’s lads can’t afford any mistakes, they have to be in top physical and psychological condition. And [Gonzalo] Higuain can be decisive."
He added: “So Barcelona will go through? I didn’t say that, but logic tells you that the Spaniards are a step above.
“Everyone knows that, even Juventus, so Allegri’s team will have to play the game of their lives. In Turin they’re aware that everything will be played for over these two games.”
Juventus and Barcelona faced each other in the 2015 Champions League final when the Spanish side won 3-1 to claim the trophy.
