14 June 2017
DOUBLE THE CHALLENGE
“Next season, the challenge will be doubled: we won’t just be confronting our opponents, but also ourselves.
“I did some soul searching after the Champions League final to work out if I could still perform in the best possible way for what will be an even more difficult year than the previous ones.
“After winning three Scudetto titles, three Coppa Italia trophies and reaching two Champions League finals, there’s always the risk that things could go downhill.
“However, I quickly made my decision, speaking to the club and they assured me that everything is in place to embark on another great season.”
FOCUS ON THE FUTURE
“We played an excellent first half in Cardiff, then we faded in the second period, paying the price for the fact that some of the players were not quite in peak condition.
“Now we’re looking forwards. We’re not thinking about the defeat, but how we can get going again this season and keep improving with one eye on the first opportunity for silverware of 2017/18, namely the Super Cup final on 13 August against Lazio.”
TRANSFER TALK
“Douglas Costa is very talented and is one of our transfer targets. Federico Bernardeschi offers great promise for the national team. Patrik Schick isn’t a Juventus player yet, but he does things that are out of the ordinary. In defence, meanwhile, we’re already in good shape.
“We must keep going and growing with the 4-2-3-1 formation. We’re looking good in terms of number of squad players, apart from in attack, We’ll obviously have to replace those who leave, but the club are always very prepared in this sense.”
COMPETITION ON THE UP
“With five English clubs competing in the Champions League, it will be a lot tougher next year. They’re battle-hardened opponents and we’ll need to make sure we’re ready for them.
“Our main objective is that of winning the Scudetto, then the Coppa Italia. As far as the Champions League is concerned, we’ve established ourselves among the top eight teams and staying there is of utmost importance.
“I send my best wishes to Luciano Spalletti and Eusebio Di Francesco for their new adventures at Inter and Roma respectively. Inter already had a strong squad and Spalletti will help them to fight for the Scudetto again. Roma will remain a force like last season.
“What’s certain is that everyone will want to beat us, so we have to discover the requisite willpower of our own to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
