19 September 2017
EARLY DAYS STILL
“Juventus vs Fiorentina is only the fifth fixture of this Serie A season. Typically the league table doesn’t take proper shape until Matchday 10, so for now it’s normal to see a lot of the teams bunched up together.
“Ninety points will be required in order to win the Scudetto this season and winning against the lower to mid-table teams is crucial in all of this.”
BEWARE OF THE VIOLA
“Fiorentina are undergoing a period of transition, but they’re a well-coached team that have brought through some fantastic young players into their ranks, such as Federico Chiesa.
“They will play without pressure tomorrow night, so we need to approach the match with the right level of respect towards our opponents and put in a solid performance, especially in defence, in order to pick up the three points.”
TEAM NEWS
“Gianluigi Buffon will be rested tomorrow, meaning that Wojciech Szczesny starts in goal. Given the congested fixture list we have at present, it’s important that every member of the squad plays their part and it’s great having two goalkeepers of such quality at my disposal.
“It’s a pity that Mattia De Sciglio picked up his injury when he was playing well. In his place I’ll pick one of Benedikt Howedes, Andrea Barzagli or Stefano Sturaro, who acquitted himself well against Barcelona, for tomorrow’s match. I’m interested to see Howedes in the black and white. He allows me to deploy a three-man defence.
“I’ve also Stephan Lichtsteiner at right-back of course, but he can’t be playing every three to four days, like many other footballers. Giorgio Chiellini could also be another player that I decide to rest tomorrow.
“In the middle of the park, Blaise Matuidi is having a great impact, while Miralem Pjanic keeps raising his game and is now one of the best midfielders around.
“I’m pleased with how Federico Bernardeschi is coming along. He’ll be very useful to us in this busy week. Likewise, Douglas Costa is improving and adapting to Italian football after a transitional period. He too could be in line to start tomorrow.
“Meanwhile, I’ll decide after today’s training session whether to field Gonzalo Higuain from the first minute against Fiorentina. Pipita is in good shape physically, has two goals in his last four games and needs to keep going.”
