15 February 2018
DERBY FEVER
“In Argentina alone, I played in six derbies for Boca Juniors against River Plate. It’s a special match and in Buenos Aires, the fans get really fired up for the occasion.
“However, I have to say that even here in Turin there’s ‘derby fever’ in the air so to speak and recognition across the city that another classic encounter is on the cards.”
TORINO TOUGH OPPONENTS
“We’re training hard and as of tomorrow we will focus on our opponents. Torino are a tough team to come up against and we must be on our toes for players like [Andrea] Belotti.
“He is a bit like [Gonzalo] Higuain for us: they’re top strikers, who score goals that only they know how to. They’ve excellent technique.”
STAYING POSITIVE AFTER SPURS
“Missing a penalty can happen once in a while, but let’s not forget that Higuain played an amazing game against Tottenham. We must be positive and go to London looking to play for a place in the next round.”
PAULO RETURN A PLUS
“We have missed [Paulo] Dybala and we’re happy that he has returned to group training. It will be a boost for us that he gets back to linking up with the likes of [Miralem] Pjanic and Higuain again.”
LEARNING FROM ALLEGRI
“[Massimiliano] Allegri often instructs me to focus on playing forwards. He gives me plenty of advice and encouragement, and I’m working very hard to put into practice everything he teaches me.”
