02 October 2018
PAULO DYBALA
Three goals and a stellar all-round display. Juve had to make do without Cristiano Ronaldo against Young Boys and Paulo Dybala stepped up to the plate and delivered like a true star, becoming the fourth Juventus player to score a Champions League hat-trick after Filippo Inzaghi, Alessandro Del Piero and Arturo Vidal.
“We were without Cristiano today but we remained focused on the task as you have to be all the time, with or without him,” La Joya noted. “We needed a performance like that – we got our approach spot on.
“I'm happy with my own performance. I worked really hard. Last year the opposite happened: I got off to a lightning start and then dropped off in the second half of the season.”
MEDHI BENATIA
Dybala may have run the show against Young Boys but the Bianconeri rearguard were exceptional too, with Medhi Benatia employed in a three-man backline
“It's always nice to keep a clean sheet,” the Moroccan admitted. “It's tough in the Champions League and we were up against a strong, physical side today who came here looking to dictate the tempo, but we got the early goal and that made it easier.
“We showed respect for our opponents and fought tooth and nail – that's what enabled us to keep a clean sheet.
“Who can stop us now? Ourselves, if we lower our guard. We have an even better team this year but we mustn't think any game is easy. If we want to go all the way we must keep playing with this same attitude – starting with Udinese. We need to sign off with another win before the international break.”
ALEX SANDRO
Alex Sandro said that Juve's tactical versatility is an extra weapon the Bianconeri have.
“We've done really well both with three and four at the back and the fact we have this ability to switch formation is an extra problem for the opposition to worry about.
“We're lucky to have great players like Paulo – he was superb tonight.
“Bernardeschi deserves credit too. It's easy to play to play with someone like him, whether it's in midfield or further forward. Federico puts in a great shift for the team.”
LEONARDO BONUCCI
Leonardo Bonucci stressed the importance of Juventus’ attitude and fast start in the win against Young Boys.
“We played with maximum respect for Young Boys,” the defender said, “because we’re aware that there’s a long way to go if we want to make it to Madrid.
“We want to make our dream come true. We started really well tonight and secured a vital win for our Champions League campaign. Now we turn our focus immediately to another tough game coming up, away to Udinese.
“As I always say, this is a squad full of starters, so it doesn’t matter who’s on the bench. Everyone is ready to give it their all.”
