Marchsio advises Koopmeiners: ‘Champions League could be the right opportunity’ | OneFootball

Teun Koopmeiners is still yet to score since his high-profile summer transfer to Juventus, but former Biancoerni no.8 Claudio Marchisio believes that the Champions League might be the Dutchman’s best chance to get his first Juve goal.

Koopmeiners is an expected starter as Juventus take on Aston Villa away at Villa Park in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, kicking off at 20.00 GMT.

The Old Lady have taken a squad of only 17 players with them, which includes three goalkeepers, so there will only be three outfield players on the bench in the Midlands tonight.

Marchisio believes that Koopmeiners was brought to Juventus to ‘make the difference’ on big Champions League nights, and though that brings additional pressure, the former Bianconeri midfielder believes that it might be easier for the Dutchman to score in Europe than in Serie A.

“Koopmeiners will be important, he was brought to make the difference and on evenings like this he has to carry Juve on his shoulders,” Marchisio said in a recent interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“There are players who have an immediate impact, and some who take a bit longer. Koopmeiners has alternated between some positive performances and some less good ones. When he was missing through injury, his importance to the team was understood even more, though.

“The goal will come, and the Champions League, where there is usually more space and more open matches, could be the right opportunity. I hope to give him a bit of luck and to see his first goal with the Juventus no. 8. One spark is enough to completely change things.”