Grosso and Romagna preview Scudetto showdown

Already Viareggio Cup champions and Coppa Italia finalists, Juventus’ Primavera have enjoyed quite the past nine months but Thursday’s 1-0 victory over Torino ensured that the journey is far from finished yet.

With the prospect of a second piece of national silverware now looming ever larger in the form of this evening’s Final Eight showdown with Roma in Reggio Emilia, coach Fabio Grosso and captain Filippo Romagna offered their take on a stellar season for the Serie A cameras with just one objective in mind: making a good campaign, an extraordinary one.

Here are the pick of the quotes from the Bianconeri pair ahead of potentially the most important 90 minutes of the season:

The coach

“This game is coming at the end of a season that we have seized with both hands right from the very beginning. We have always had the same objective in mind, that of improving as a team and I’ve been able to watch these boys demonstrate their character, quality and spirit throughout.

“We’ve imposed ourselves and dictated the tempo of every match we've played and I am delighted that we are now looking forward to competing in the biggest fixture of the year.

“Roma are an excellent side and will no doubt contribute immensely to the spectacle. Now that we have come this far though in a competition that we have dominated right from the group phase, all we can think of is lifting the trophy. The time has come for the boys to make that final dip for the finish line.”

The skipper

“We deserve to be here after the magnificent term that we’ve had. This is our third final and easily the most important of all: the league title is the prize that everyone plays for and should we win tonight, it would cap off a brilliant year for us.

“We have matured a lot relative to last season and are a much more rounded side than we were before. A special mention should go to the boss (Grosso); when we win, we do it for him, such is the respect we have for him as a coach.

“Wearing the captain’s armband is a true honour but with it comes great responsibility and desire to lead my team-mates to victory. Only a lucky few get the opportunity to be captain in a Juventus jersey and it is one that should be taken on with the utmost respect and humility.

“We’ve all come on leaps and bounds this year, myself included. Training with the first team squad has been central to that for me; learning from the senior guys at the club is such a huge boost.

“We know how good Roma can be. They are a strong outfit and would not be here with us in the final if they weren’t. We’ll see exactly what they are all about come kick-off.”

Supporters will be able to follow the conclusion of the Primavera's terrific campaign in Reggio Emilia live on Twitter (**@juventusfcen**) from 20.30 CEST.