24 January 2017
Team news
“We’ll make a few changes for Milan, especially given the effort we expended in playing with great intensity and focus against Lazio. It’s a one-off tie that needs to be contested at the best of our abilities and after that we have a tricky trip to Sassuolo so the squad will be rotated.
“Barzagli on the right with Rugani in the middle? I’ll be taking one last look at Chiellini and potentially Bonucci who needs minutes under his belt after sitting out for almost two months. Whoever lines up for us must be able to compete for potentially 120 minutes.
“In attack? Dybala has been magnificent recently, his goal at the weekend was superb. All strikers miss chances from time to time. Higuain may feature but that will depend on how we set up in attack.
“Pjaca and Marchisio are unlikely to start; Claudio in particular needs time to consolidate the excellent recovery he has made.”
Mental game
“I can’t stress enough that ultimately it is the way we approach the game that counts. I can send the players out in a certain formation but you can’t expect to win if the aggression and intensity is lacking.
“The boys delivered a great response on Sunday but now our goal is to maintain that level for as long as we can. To take our game to the next level we need to marry mental toughness, focus and commitment with quality on the ball. To win football matches, especially those in the Champions League, you must have both.”
Playing the long game
“Teams don’t fundamentally change from one week to the next. Juventus are at their best when we relax and play with our heads. It is not as if after losing to Fiorentina, everything had to go on the scrapheap, nor were things perfect before that defeat.
“The true value of a group of players comes out over the course of a season. Slip-ups on the way are par for the course and what matters is who is top of the table in May.”
Milan
“Speaking about “revenge” is a little misleading. Wednesday’s is simply an important match that we want to win. Milan are having a good campaign and have the quality to hurt you if you give them the opportunities.
"Our target is to lift the Coppa Italia for a third time in a row, something that no other side has done before, and that is all the motivation we need.”
