24 October 2017
RESPECT FOR SPAL
“Tomorrow night there are three points at stake just like Sunday’s game against Udinese and next Saturday away to Milan.
“We must show respect to SPAL. They’re an organised team that defend very well and are also easy on the eye in attack. It’s no fluke that they play good football either. That’s all down to their work on the training field.
“If you look at the games they’ve lost, all of them have been very closely-fought contests in which their opponents struggled to score. Therefore, we need to make sure that we’re very professional in the way we approach tomorrow’s match – not least because we’re trying to catch up the teams at the top of the table, so we need to wrap up all three points in front of our fans.”
MAX IN FERRARA: FINE MEMORIES
“My time at SPAL was an experience of great significance towards the start of my coaching career. The great thing about being in Ferrara was that you could sense just how strong people’s attachment was to the rich history of that club.
“Therefore, SPAL deserves to be playing in Serie A and I believe that, considering the team they have assembled, the quality of their coach and the way they go about their business that they have what’s required to play well and stay in this division come the end of the season.”
HIGUAIN AND DYBALA
“Gonzalo played a great game on Sunday. He made himself the focal point of our attacks and took on plenty of responsibility out on the pitch. He is in better shape now and is showing a greater level of energy and enthusiasm. He remains a very important player for us.
“There’s nothing wrong at all with Paulo. The substitutions form a part of the manager’s decision-making. On Sunday, he played well in that ‘trequartista’ position just behind Higuain and he helped the rest of the team around him.
“He needs to keep his feet on the ground and not be worried about how many goals he scores, because in the end he’ll score plenty.”
TEAM NEWS FOR TOMORROW
“Neither Buffon nor Chiellini will play tomorrow, but apart from them, there won’t be so much turnover because there are players who need time out on the pitch.
“De Sciglio makes the squad: he isn’t yet completely match-ready, but he’s available at least. Alex Sandro is a certainty to play, while in midfield I’ve still a few doubts: Marchisio is in good condition and could play a part of the game.
“Up front, I’ll go with Douglas Costa, Higuain and Dybala, plus one from Bernardeschi, who is in great shape, or Cuadrado, who could be a useful option as a full-back during the course of the match. I will make my final decision tomorrow.”
