19 December 2014
With three days and counting until Monday’s Italian Cup Super final match-up with Napoli, Massimiliano Allegri and Carlos Tevez underlined their determination to end 2014 by adding extra silverware to the Juventus trophy cabinet.
The Bianconeri are closing the calendar year on a high after booking their place in the Champions League knockout stages and ensuring 2015 will begin with them at the top of the Serie A pile following last night’s 3-1 triumph over Cagliari.
But neither Allegri nor Tevez are prepared to rest on their laurels, with both hungry to mount one final push and lift the club’s first trophy of the season against Napoli on Monday night.
Opening the batting at this evening’s press conference in Qatar, the boss began: “We secured our first target of the season by qualifying for the Champions League last 16. Now it's time for our second target. The Super Cup is a tournament we all want to win.
“I don't think Napoli's only aim is to lift the Super Cup. I think they'll try to get back into the title race if possible, or if not battle for third place, which I think is an important target for the teams in the mix. It gives you a place in the Champions League play-offs.”
Tevez then provided his thoughts on the upcoming encounter, reiterating the team’s full focus on bringing the trophy back to Turin.
He said: “Cups and trophies are always important to me. I also think it's important for the team. It's tough at this stage of the season where I'm a little tired mentally but we want to put in a good performance.”
Ending with a reflection on the Bianconeri’s top scorer this season, Allegri says he is backing him to put any jadedness to one side and produce a display befitting of the occasion on Monday evening.
He concluded: “Tevez made the difference for us in the first six matches and a Champions League game at home to Malmo. He scored a lot of goals and played a key role throughout games.
“He's clearly not 100% fit at the moment but he's such a big player he can still make the difference at any time. How do I manage him? We're off on holiday on Tuesday so he'll have eight days' break.”
