22 April 2017
From UCL to Serie A
“Two key words: concentration and composure and they apply to both Serie A and the Champions League semi-final. Our attention is firmly on the former for now, there will be time to think about Monaco after Genoa and Atalanta. Tomorrow’s game is so important; a win tomorrow could well decide the fate of the Scudetto.”
Same focus for Genoa
“We have to approach Genoa in the same way we approached Barcelona. We can’t afford to let our intensity drop because I believe we have a chance to seal the title on Sunday. If we win, our advantage over Roma will remain the same with one game fewer for them to catch us up.
“From next weekend, there are games every three days which is great for momentum but we need to remember that we haven’t achieved anything yet.”
The Champions League draw...
“Would I have preferred Real? No. **M****onaco are in the semi-finals for a very good reason:** they are an excellent, technical and tactical side with some brilliant young players in their ranks. We’ve got greater experience on our side but that doesn’t necessarily make things easier.
“Since arriving here I’ve tried to help the players reach a level at which they can win the Champions League and they have done the same for me. We’re approaching a position where we can go into the big European games knowing that we can win – just like we did against Barcelona – and that should be second nature from now on.”
Team News
“The ‘usual suspects’ are all in line to start tomorrow; we just have a few doubts over Cuadrado who we will have another look at today in training. If he doesn’t make it, Lemina will take his place.
“Marchisio will feature for sure; you need as much as a year to come back properly from an ACL injury so it’s normal that Claudio has had his ups and downs. He is back on the rise at the moment and I have no doubt that he will have a decisive part to play from now until the end of the season.”
Bentancur and Dani
“**Bentancur is one of the most promising young players in the world** and we’re delighted that he’ll be beginning his Juventus journey from July onwards
Dani Alves, like all new signings, needed a bit of time to adapt to his new surroundings and then unfortunately he picked up an injury. He’s a key player for us and we’re lucky to have someone with the qualities of Lichtsteiner in that position too.”
