16 September 2017
LESSONS TO LEARN FROM CAMP NOU
“Against Barcelona, the boys played a great first half, then we conceded that goal just before half-time that we could have avoided if we’d been a bit more careful. These things can happen when you face Barcelona away and it’s to be expected that, if you give (Lionel) Messi and company space in which to play, you’re left with an uphill battle.
“There are important lessons for us to learn from that defeat. We must play the way we know best and we can’t adopt the same approach as Barcelona. With the abundant technical qualities that this Juventus team has, we have to always fight to stay in matches and we’ve the ability to impose our game on these opponents and beat them.”
CRUCIAL RUN OF GAMES STARTS ON SUNDAY
“Tomorrow’s match is the first of an all-important series of back-to-back league games – Sassuolo-Fiorentina-Torino – before turning attentions again to the Champions League against Olympiacos.
“We’re only interested in one result tomorrow, namely victory. However, we’re aware that we take on a Sassuolo team that plays good football, has quality players and that needs to start picking up points. Therefore, we must have a level-headed approach to this match and show Sassuolo the respect that they deserve.”
TEAM NEWS FOR FACING SASSUOLO
“Giorgio Chiellini and Mario Mandzukic return to the squad, but Sami Khedira, Claudio Marchisio and Marko Pjaca are still out of action. Benedikt Howedes will be back in training on Monday, while Mattia De Sciglio will undergo further tests to ascertain the extent of his injury at the start of next week. Everyone else is available for selection.
“Without Khedira and Marchisio, it will be tricky to field a three-man midfield, but both Blaise Matuidi and Miralem Pjanic will play, as they’re in good physical shape and they need game time together in order to get to know each other better.
“I can confirm that Paulo Dybala will start against Sassuolo. Meanwhile, one of Federico Bernardeschi or Juan Cuadrado will feature down the right side of attack. Federico is coming along well and playing some good parts of games. Squad depth is so important to us in enabling everyone to stay in peak condition until the end of the season.”
