Marchisio: If they trust in Pjanic they won't regret it

Claudio Marchisio, who won 15 trophies in 25 years with Juventus, and is a former team-mate of Barca midfielder Miralem Pjanic, spoke to Diario Sport.

Barca vs Juve is always a different game. What do you expect?

The two teams are seeing a period of deep change, although the squads are full of good young players. At Camp Nou I expect a braver game from Juve than in the 2-0 home defeat.

FIrst place is at stake.

On one hand you can say this game is worthless because Barca and Juve are already through, on the other hand it's important because the two teams want to finish first. Personally I hope to see a spectacular battle and not timid in any way, one of those clashes that comes with pressure and prestige, which helps the kids doubly (to develop).

Do you like your friend Pirlo's new Juve?

Juve today are a team looking for their identity, not talking of the play but of character and charisma. In this moment, on top of the Pirlo role and his collaborators, it will be decisive to have leaders in the dressing room like Chiellini, Buffon, Bonucci and Cristiano.

And Koeman's Barca?

They are living through a similar situation. I think Koeman today is also looking for a quick and efficient way into turning his Barca into a team, more than than having 11 stars.

Do you see Barca and Juve fighting until the end for this trophy?

Juve and Barca should always be considered among the favourites to win the Champions League. I hope my Juve a little more so...

If I say Barca-Juve, what do you think of immediately?

I think of big games and big nights of football, although my first memory is one of the most painful disappointments of my career, the defeat in the final in Berlin. Despite that, we showed that Juve had returned and had a good team.

Would you have liked to have played elsewhere? You rejected Capello's Madrid in 2006...

For me I always played at the best team in the world, Juventus. Although Barca...

Your former team-mate Miralem Pjanic is there now.

Pjanic, without doubt, is my favourite current Barcelona player. We talk of a friend, a great player, a special person. Barca have to give him a chance, you won't regret it!

What opinion do you hold on the Arthur-Pjanic swap?

I know Arthur only a little but Pjanic very well and I can say Barca signed a real champion. Mire understands the game like few others in Europe and works with the ball a special way.

Finally, a Messi-Cristiano confrontation.

Finally we get to see what we've been waiting for for months, but Barca-Juve isn't just Messi vs Cristiano.

Define Cristiano in one word.

Athlete.

And Messi?

Genius.

Who'd you pick?

It's useless deciding between two champions who wrote and keep writing the history of our sport. I go with Cristiano, and with Messi too.