Khedira ready for Juventus debut

Sami Khedira is set to make his long-awaited Juventus debut in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash with Sevilla.

The 28-year old suffered a thigh strain during August’s pre-season outing against Marseille, but is back among the first-team squad, leaving coach Massimiliano Allegri in no doubt that the former Real Madrid star is ready to play his part.

Khedira will play,” Allegri said. “Starting or on the bench? You’ll have to wait and see. He’s ready.”

Despite initially refusing to confirm any details, Allegri later named ’10 of my starting 11′, which included the Germany international, whose return to fitness will come as a significant boost to the Italian side after a difficult run that has seen it pick up just one league win and fall 10 points off the top of Serie A.

Having beaten Manchester City 2-1 in its previous Champions League encounter, the Juve boss insists he is once again preparing his side for a tough contest against the current UEFA Europa League holder which, despite having recorded only one La Liga triumph itself, swept aside Borussia Monchengladbach 3-0 last time out.

The game is almost a decisive one for our hopes of reaching the knockout stages,” the 48-year-old added.

We need to show a great deal of determination in our display.

It will be an evenly poised game, we need to show plenty of focus and desire.

The Italian champion will be without defender Stephan Lichsteiner, who has been forced to undergo further tests with a cardiology specialist after sitting out the defeat to Lazio complaining of breathing problems.

It’s a pity that Lichsteiner is out,” Allegri added. “He’s been left out as a precaution, his health is the most important thing.

Andrea Barzagli will play in defence.

Martin Caceres is also ruled out after being suspended by the club over allegations of drink-driving after a crash involving his Ferrari on Monday.

Meanwhile, Sevilla coach Unai Emery expects Juventus to deliver the kind of performance it produced against Manchester City when it hosts his side.

The Serie A champion has struggled to find form domestically and was beaten 2-1 by Napoli at the weekend to leave it 10 points behind league leader Fiorentina.

However, last season’s beaten Champions League finalist recorded an impressive win away to Manchester City and Emery is prepared to face a similar standard in Turin.

We are happy to be here to play against the runners-up of the world’s best competition, said the Sevilla coach. “We want to compete and enjoy it. It’s a big challenge for us.

I expect the Juventus that won against Manchester City. They are a top team but there are circumstances which have led to their bad results in Serie A.

Fernando Llorente misses out on a clash with his former club due to injury, as does winger Vitolo, but Emery insists he is not simply attempting to preserve his better players for the Liga clash with Barcelona on 3 October.

Vitolo and Llorente didn’t travel because he can’t play,” he explained. “We’re only thinking of this Champions League match, not on our next clash against Barcelona. We are focused 100 per cent on this competition now and I will use my best 11.

Midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak admits Juve boasts a strong squad but he has stressed the Europa League holder will not simply play for a point.

I won’t be satisfied with a draw, I always play to win,” he said. “Both teams began the season in a bad way but Juventus are a top team with amazing players.

“We trust in our standards and we want to enjoy this match. Last year, we worked hard to play in the Champions League and now we are 100 per cent ready for this type of match.