TURIN (ITALY) - Diego Simeone believes a fired-up Juventus will play "like it's a final" when the Turin giants host his Atletico Madrid side on Tuesday looking to clinch their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Atletico Madrid's players take part in a training session on the eve of the UEFA Champions League football match against Juventus in Turin on December 8, 2014
Atletico, beaten 4-1 in last year's final by city rivals Real Madrid, have already booked their ticket for the knockout phase after winning four Group A fixtures on the trot following a shock opening-day loss to Olympiakos.
Although a draw would see Juventus qualify in second place, coach Massimiliano Allegri insists the Italian champions are aiming for a win with a two-goal margin that would clinch top spot.
Simeone is not taking Juve lightly and says the Spanish champions will have to be focused from kick-off.
"We'll be up against a team that is desperate to get a result. They're going to be fired up, really determined, so we have to be prepared for that right from the start," Simeone told media at Juventus Stadium on Monday.
"Last season they didn't qualify for the last 16 and they don't want a repeat. They're going to be playing like it's a final."
In the sides' October 1 fixture at the Vicente Calderon stadium, Arda Turan's 75th minute strike secured a 1-0 win for Atletico on what was the first competitive fixture between the Spanish and Italian champions.
Since then, however, Juventus have made significant progress, ditching the 3-5-2 formation, once favoured by former coach Antonio Conte and used initially by Allegri, in favour of a more progressive 4-3-1-2.
Juventus, who have won their past two outings at home to Olympiakos and away to Malmo, trail Atletico by three points with the Greek side a further three points adrift in third place.
Midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo was still recovering from an early season injury when Juventus lost 1-0 in Spain in October.
Now on top form, underlined by his stunning last-minute goal that clinched victory in the city derby against Torino two weeks ago, Simeone highlighted the ageing Italy star as a significant threat.
"The first thing you have to say about Pirlo is he's a fantastic player. His ability to read the game quickly is a huge asset, we have to pay close attention to him," added Simeone.
One of the players likely to cross Pirlo's path is Koke, but the 22-year-old embraced the prospect of facing a formidable midfield that also includes Paul Pogba and Claudio Marchisio.
"They have a strong midfield, we saw that at the Calderon even when they were without Pirlo," said Koke.
"It will be a tough match-up tomorrow evening. But we're not going out to play for a draw. We always play to win."