Juventus Next Gen are set to take on Vicenza in the first leg of the Serie C Coppa Italia final on Thursday. Ahead of the game at Allianz Stadium, head coach Massimo Brambilla and 21-year-old midfielder Alessandro Sersanti shared their thoughts with the media at Juventus Training Centre in Vinovo.
“Vicenza are going to be very tricky to play against,” Brambilla began. “We know that because we've played them before. They're a team that's been put together with the aim of winning the league. It's going to be very difficult in every aspect.”
ALESSANDRO SERSANTI
FINAL APPROACH
“Tomorrow will be a different sort of game from the last two we've played in the league. We'll need to go into it with a better approach, certainly better than we had against Triestina. But it's not hard to get yourself up for a final. We've trained well and I'm sure that whoever plays will give it their absolute all.”
NEXT GEN EXPERIENCE
“At Grosseto I was one of the youngest in the squad so I didn't have much responsibility. It's different here because we're all young. Being in my second year now, I feel I'm a figure the others look up to, especially those who have only just started out in the professional game this season.”
ALLIANZ EFFECT
“Playing at Allianz Stadium will be a massive help. Obviously it's very different to playing in Alessandria. That said, it mustn't change the way we play – we have to go out there and play our usual game. Turning out at such a magnificent stadium should give us something extra, not hold us back. As a lifelong Juventus fan, it will be very special for me to play on such a stage. I feel lucky and there's no doubt it will an unforgettable occasion. We should be excited to be involved in a match like this – playing in a final at this age is something that will stay with us forever.”
MASSIMO BRAMBILLA
FORM
“We're coming into this on the back of two defeats but we haven't forgotten our win over Foggia two weeks ago – a result that boosted morale and belief. We're expecting two tough matches against Vicenza but there are no favourites in a final. They are a very good team though. We're ready and we can't wait to play it. My job together with the coaching staff is to make sure the lads remain calm and go into it fired up without being overly so. I'm confident.”
CUP RUN
“I think we've deserved our place in the final. The lads have earned it playing every match away from home. Even the last one against Foggia in Alessandria felt a bit like it with all the fans from Puglia in the stands. Personally I'm very relaxed heading into this game and I'm happy with our cup run. However, it's not about me – the lads' development is far more important and games like this are great experience for them."
BARRENECHEA PRIDE
“Whenever one of our academy kids breaks into the first team, it's a source of immense pride for everyone at the club. All credit to Enzo for earning himself an opportunity in the eyes of [Massimiliano] Allegri.”
GOAL-SCORING OPTIONS
“We've had lots of different scorers this season and that's something that can play to our favour. We must be good at exploiting this factor and so that we become even more unpredictable.”
OBJECTIVES
“When I came here, the Coppa Italia final was the last of my thoughts. The primary objective I was given was to develop the players individually and I think there's been progress in that sense. Reaching this final is the natural consequence of the work we've done.”
TEAM SELECTION
“[Tarik] Muharemovic is back after a long spell on the sidelines and he'll be on the bench. The other players who weren't available against Triestina won't be available tomorrow either. Dean [Huijsen] is suspended for this game but I've yet to make up my mind on who will come in for him. I'll decide with my staff after our last training session tomorrow.”