Juventus are favourites for the Champions League – Rogerio

Sergio Stanco

Juventus are favourites for the Champions League – Rogerio image

Juventus are ready to end their recent record of Champions League final disappointments this season.

That is the view of the club's young Brazilian defender Rogerio, who says he wants to emulate countryman and clubmate Alex Sandro in becoming a serial winner in Turin.

He will have to wait for that opportunity, however, having been loaned to Serie A rivals Sassuolo as he develops.

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But the 20-year-old is certain his parent club are destined to add European success to their domestic domination.

Juve haven't won the competition since 1996 and have lost two finals in the last four years, despite taking ownership of the Italian title for the past seven seasons.

The Turin club have this season added Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid to their already star-packed ranks - and Rogerio is anticipating it paying off.

“The Bianconeri are surely favourites to win the Champions League - it's their main target," he said.

Rogerio joined Juventus from Brazilian club Internacional as a teenager in 2016 and is keen to follow in countryman Sandro's footsteps.

“Arriving at Juventus has been a dream come true," he said. "It's one of the best teams in the world and a model club. I hope my career turns out similar to Alex Sandro.”

Meanwhile, he is also backing fellow Brazilian youngster Vinicius Junior to be a success at Real Madrid.

Julen Lopetegui's failure to make the most of the 18-year-old wonderkid's talents has been cited as one of the reasons behind his recent sacking by the La Liga giants.

But Rogerio believes the talented 18-year-old, who was handed his Real debut by caretaker manager Santiago Solari in the team's Copa del Rey win over Melilla on Wednesday night, will flourish.

“Vinicius can become one of the best players in the world,” he said.

Sergio Stanco