21 September 2018
Juan looks back on Valencia triumph: “We showed real character playing a man down. In situations like that, you become even stronger as a team”Juve reduced to ten men for much of the game, a penalty saved and victory come the final whistle. No, we're not (only) talking about the Valencia match: that's what happened on 18 October 2016, when the Bianconeri pulled off a similar feat against Lyon. On that occasion it was decided not by two Miralem Pjanic penalties but a wonder goal by Juan Cuadrado seven minutes after he came on as a second-half substitute.“The secret is we never let up at Juve," the Colombian explained, reflecting on the two matches in an interview with Juventus TV.“We showed real character playing a man down and came away from a tough ground with a superb result against an excellent side. What matters most is our desire to win – and that's never lacking. “In games like that, you become even stronger as a team. We're like a family here – we all pull in the same direction and that's what makes us so strong. If Juve win, we all win.”Cuadrado was asked if this year's Juve side – with the addition of Cristiano Ronaldo – is the best he has ever played in.“Cristiano certainly brings us something extra. We all know what a player he is but I think Juve have always had a very good team.“Perhaps we are even stronger this season because some of us have been here for years and we know each other very well. On top of that, we've signed some world-class players. Hopefully we can go all the way in every competition.”After their impressive Champions League success in midweek, it's back to domestic action on Sunday with the Bianconeri due to visit Frosinone. The last (and only) time they did so in Serie A Cuadrado opened the scoring, before Paulo Dybala added a late second.“I remember that game. It was really tough but we managed to make the breakthrough when Alex Sandro and I linked up, then we went on to win it. “We're expecting a real battle once again because it's always hard to play at grounds like that. We're going to have give 100%.”
