Skinner: I'm really excited for Juve test

The Reds face the Turin club at the Allianz Stadium, in our final Champions League game of the year, at 20:00 GMT.

We are already guaranteed a place in February’s play-offs, but the aim is to finish as high as possible in the league phase, after back-to-back defeats against Wolfsburg and Lyon stemmed our European progress.

Skinner, while previewing the match at the press conference alongside midfielder Jess Park, revealed how impressed he’s been with Massimiliano Canzi’s side so far.

Read the quotes below, and watch the video…

SKINNER: WE RESPECT JUVE

“We play a fantastic team that has already been brilliant in this competition, at such an iconic stadium. It will be a really exciting tie. I’m really excited about the way my team are playing. Results haven’t been what we want, but performances certainly have been, so I’m looking forward to taking on a totally different side to what we usually play, in terms of the style. They are a fantastic team, and one that we have a lot of respect for, but we’re going to try and go above them in the table, with a win.”

SKINNER: A BRILLIANT VENUE

“Leigh is a great space for us, and our home, but stadiums like this are why we want to take part in the Champions League. It’s such an iconic stadium, and I think both teams will enjoy playing here. It’s part and parcel of being in the best competition in Europe, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

SKINNER: JUVE A DIFFERENT CHALLENGE

“Management of the game, the time, the strengths of Lyon are slightly different to Juve, so we’ve got to respect those and prepare slightly differently. I think it’s just big-game moments, a different style of refereeing as well – that also plays a part. We just need to make sure we’re fully focused on what we are, who we are with the ball. If we can do that, we can cause problems for any team.”

SKINNER: ITALY GETTING STRONGER

“I feel like Juve have acquitted themselves brilliantly in this tournament so far - they’ve been excellent. To take on an Italian giant like Juve in this final game is fitting and it’s a good thing for us to do. It shows a lot about the growth of the Italian league that a player like [former Arsenal midfielder] Lia Walti has come to play for Juve. I see a lot of talent in their team and a lot of talent in this league. When I was at Birmingham as manager, seven, eight seasons ago, we had a player Ellie Brazil who came to Fiorentina, so I’ve seen it grow and grow and grow. Some of the Italian teams at the Euros and so on have acquitted themselves fantastically. Lots and lots of talented players, historically elite men’s and women’s [sides] and I’m looking forward to challenging Juve.”

PARK: I LOVE PLAYING FOR UNITED

“You can tell by the way that I’m playing at the moment how much I’m enjoying it. I love every single one of the girls and I love playing for United. I’ve competed in it [the Champions League] before. I enjoy any game, any challenge and I think this is the biggest competition, so of course I’ll try to bring that as well.”