Reaction to Sampdoria win

This is what Andrea Pirlo, Giorgio Chiellini and Rodrigo Bentancur had to say after the final whistle.

ANDREA PIRLO

“It's a shame we couldn't take our chances better and wrap up the result in the first half but we controlled the game, got the second goal late on and gave very little away. When we defend like that it means our midfielders and forwards are pressing properly – we did that well today. We're improving and starting to see the results of our work on the training ground with structure to our play.

“[Cristiano] Ronaldo always does his bit for the team and it's not a problem if he doesn't score. Chiesa has injected energy and hunger into the side. He's young and came in here on tiptoes but he's found his feet now and we're pleased with his performances. He's finishing off moves by making runs from deep and that's something he needs to do more often.”

GIORGIO CHIELLINI

“We knew it was an important game. We wanted to show consistency and improvement and show that we can fight for the Scudetto till the end. We played a good game today – it was a real Juve performance. Perhaps we should have killed it off earlier but we got our approach right.

“It's been a good month with just the one slip-up. We have another intense three weeks ahead but we're playing well and we're just missing Paulo [Dybala]. Hopefully we'll have the full squad fit again soon.

“We have to close down opponents quickly and high up the pitch – sometimes we do that well, other times less well, but we're all putting in the effort. If we keep this up, we can achieve big things. We're not looking at our rivals, only ourselves.”

RODRIGO BENTANCUR

“We know we have to keep taking each game as it comes. Winning was the only option today and that's what we did. I'm happy because I've got my fitness up again and I feel good. We're all doing well in midfield and whoever plays wants to do his best for the team.

“If I have to choose a favourite position, I'll say playmaker but when I play as a box-to-box midfielder I can get closer to the goal. We always practise shooting after training but perhaps I need a bit more confidence to go for it matches. It's not a problem anyway – I have plenty of team-mates who can score!”