Juventus' Emre Can believes Serie A teams are tactically superior to Premier League sides
What's the story?
Juventus and former Liverpool midfielder Emre Can believe that Serie A teams are ‘tactically better’ than those in the Premier League.
In case you didn't know...
Can left Premier League table-toppers Liverpool to move to Serie A giants, Juventus in the same summer that saw Cristiano Ronaldo move to the Bianconeri.
The duo went head-to-head against one another in last year's Champions League finals between their former clubs Real Madrid and Liverpool. The night saw Los Blancos lift their third consecutive title in the competition.
Since then, the 25-year-old has struggled to find his place in the new team as club boss Max Allegri appears to favour the likes of Miralem Pjanic, Blaise Matuidi, Sami Khedira and Rodrigo Bentancur in the squad over him.
The heart of the matter
The former Liverpool star has now boldly claimed that Serie A sides have better tactics than clubs in the English top flight.
Speaking to Sky in Italy (via Sky Sports), the German said, "I think here in Italy the teams are better tactically, [but] I think the football in England is maybe quicker, but here it is sometimes very difficult to score a goal."
"It was not always easy for me my first few months here in Italy because I had a few problems and then the surgery, now I feel better really because I play a few games."
"I need to get used to the football here in Italy. I feel in good shape and ready to go."
The midfielder further expressed his desire to win the Champions League this season, especially after he missed out on it last campaign with Liverpool.
"Last year, I lost the final, but this year I want to win it, with him together of course."
"I heard a lot of times this year when we played, they [fans] want to win the Champions League. I think the fans are really looking forward for it and really want to win it."
"Of course everybody says you will win the Serie A, but it's very difficult, and the last seven years Juventus won it, this year the eighth time, and it's not always easy, we have to train every day hard."
What's next?
Juventus made it to the Round of 16 in the Champions League and are scheduled to face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the stage on February 21.