Despite a 3-1 reverse in Italy, Fulham approach the return leg against Juventus at Craven Cottage still in with a shout of overcoming their mighty rivals.

 

With the Italians suffering a minor injury crisis ahead of Thursday’s game, Cottager Chris Baird remains optimistic. “The first match was a very tough game for us, we knew about the quality they had and they showed it in the first leg” he told the clubs own website, “But I still think we've got a great chance bringing them back to our place. We'll be up for the game and we're confident that we can get a result and keep going in this competition. Conceding that goal before half-time knocked us back a bit. But in all fairness, we came out in the second-half, played a lot better and created a few chances. I think we've got a great chance.”

Fulham’s chances have improved as Juve will travel with anything up to eight players missing from their squad. The absentees include Italy’s World Cup winning keeper Gianluigi Buffon and former Arsenal shot-stopper Alex Manninger and so the veteran Antonio Chimenti may be their only option in goal.