26 May 2017
FIRST AIM: BEATING BOLOGNA
“First and foremost, we’re looking to beat Bologna tomorrow in order to end our Serie A campaign on a high.
“Then we’ll take Sunday off to recharge our batteries before preparing for our final match of the season: the Champions League final.”
TEAM NEWS FOR TOMORROW NIGHT
“Emil Audero will play in goal. Chiellini is in fine shape, but will sit this match out because, were he to pick up a yellow card, he’d miss the Italian Super Cup next season.
“That means that two from Bonucci, Barzagli and Benatia will line up in central defence, with Lichtsteiner and Asamoah either side of them.
“Khedira returns to the midfield and will start tomorrow as he needs game time. He’ll probably be joined by Marchisio in the middle of the park.
“Higuain, Dybala, Mandzukic and Cuadrado will all play in attack.”
‘I WANT TO STAY BEYOND THIS SEASON’
“I haven’t met the club yet to talk about my future and we won’t be doing so next week as it’s important that we’re fully concentrated on the Champions League final – a huge global event that we need to approach with enthusiasm and conviction.
“It’s up to the club to call me for a meeting. As I’ve said many times before, I’ve a contract until 2018 and I want to remain at Juventus. I’ve already made my decision and that won’t be influenced by the outcome of the final in Cardiff.
“Where will I be in five years’ time? I’ve an idea, but I won’t reveal that now. All I’ll say is that it will be a very different path to my current one.”
PLEASED WITH TEAM’S PROGRESS
“I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together during my three years at Juventus and hopefully we can add another trophy to the collection in Cardiff.
“What has been perhaps even more pleasing, however, is watching all of the players develop. The team unit has grown a lot as a whole.
“Mandzukic has dug really deep, but so have all of the players. Bonucci, after sitting out the Porto match, has reacted very positively.
“In the Coppa Italia final, I saw Barzagli make a run that it seemed like he was only 20 years old and his marker 36, not the other way around!”
