Kroos: Only Barca better than Juve

Bayern Munich talent Toni Kroos has the utmost respect for Champions League rivals Juventus. “Only Barcelona are better.”

The two teams will meet in the first leg of their last eight tie at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday evening.

“Juventus are a great name in European football and of course they will be a hard and strong opponent,” the international noted to UEFA.com.

“Juve, from my point of view, is the strongest team after Barcelona. They will be very strong in defence like always.

“Our aim is to win the game and it would be ideal not to concede a goal. We want to travel to Italy with best chance of going through to the semi-finals.”

Bayern boss Jupp Heynckes today spoke of his admiration for Juventus’ midfield three of Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio.

“They have a strong midfield, but so do we,” Kroos added. “Of course we have to be extremely careful of their key players like Pirlo, but it will be important to establish our style of play.

“Against Juventus all of us must work a lot, starting from the forwards. Against a team like Juve the whole team must work defensively well.

“If we are able to do so, we will win this game.”