On the eve of the encounter with Bayern Munich on Matchday two of the UEFA Women’s Champions league group stage, Massimiliano Canzi and Martina Rosucci spoke to the press at the Allianz Training Center in Vinovo about the challenge against the German side and the fact that, if either side are victorious, they will move to the top of the group standings.
MARTINA ROSUCCI COMMENTS
“We prepare for these types of matches with great determination and focus, knowing that we have earned the right to be where we are. Tomorrow we will face a very strong team in Bayern Munich, but we will only be focused on ourselves.
I think the rankings speak for themselves, so they go into the match as favourites. However, both teams will have the same goal of winning the game to become sole leaders of the group.
I have been out for a long time, but I am working daily to continue to improve my fitness. I feel good, I'm happy.
At Juventus we must aim to continually raise our level. Our goal must be to try and go toe to toe with every team we face, even the best sides.
Over the last eight years I have been lucky enough to play with many very strong players. This season's group is very close-knit, made up of athletes of the highest level.
Ten years ago, I played my first match in the UEFA Women's Champions League. I have certainly gained a lot of experience over the years, despite the fact that I have suffered three long injuries along the way. For me, this season can be considered a new beginning. Football is lived in the present, day by day. The past is important, but you need the present to lay the foundations to build the future.”
MASSIMILIANO CANZI'S THOUGHTS
“When playing so many games in such a short period of time, you have to be lucky to have a deep squad. The day after the match we try to assess how the girls are and then we start again, focusing only on the next opponent that awaits us. My staff and I have also done that in the run-up to this match and tomorrow we will field the best possible team.
Bayern Munich have such strong individuals in all areas of the pitch that it becomes difficult to identify their biggest threats. We have already played them in friendlies this year, so we know the type of team we will face. It will be nice to play against a top club. We will play this match with great respect for our opponents, but without fear.
As far as the approach to the match is concerned, the one we had on Sunday against Roma was fantastic. The physical and mental effort was very high and we will have to put in another performance of the highest level, I am sure that the players will be very focused from the start.
[Eva] Schatzer played very well against Roma, but I am not surprised. She had already come close to that kind of level when she was at Sampdoria. She was born in 2005 and has many years of her career ahead of her. She can still grow a lot, but she has already proven her worth.
[Chiara] Beccari has a slight problem with a recurrence of an old injury, but it is not a problem that will prevent her from being involved tomorrow. [Sara] Gama, on the other hand, has a slight knee problem, a slight sprain that will only keep her out for a few days. Tomorrow, however, she will not be available against Bayern Munich.
Comparing ourselves to foreign teams in friendlies this summer has helped us a lot. It helped me, coming from another environment, to understand some dynamics and it helped the girls to face very good teams with different ideas of football from ours and, more generally, from Italian teams.”