18 December 2017
The day after Juve's big win at Bologna, Miralem Pjanic talked to Juventus TV about the victory and the road ahead.
"It was a really important match in the context of our season. We are happy for how we played across the 90 minutes and personally I am satisfied with my performance and for the three points we earned."
FREE-KICK MAGIC
Pjanic, the free-kick marksman, found the back of the net with another trademark dead-ball strike to open the scoring on Sunday at the Dall'Ara.
"It wasn't easy, because the position wasn't at the top of the box, but there was the space to fire it in. I measured up the pace well and got good curl on it," explained Miralem. "Then it takes a little luck, of course.
"I'm happy because it helped earn the result and turn the game in our favour. We were dominating, but we lacked that final touch in front of goal. The strike gave us the ability to manage the game.
"A free-kick challenge with Dybala? It's fun. We train to do what I did yesterday, score goals and help the team win. We must thank the goalkeepers who stay with us even after training. It is thanks to them that we can fine-tune our free-kicks."
STRONG DEFENDING
The Bianconeri found the back of the net with three beautifully-worked goals, but it was also the sixth match in a row with a clean sheet.
"It's what we missed at the beginning of the year when we were a bit too light defensively. But now we are in a good moment, we have the right type of aggression and even against opponents such as Barcelona, Napoli and Inter we barely allowed them any chances, showing that the team is where it should be in terms of fitness, tactically and also technically."
CLOSEST SERIE A IN YEARS
It's been said many times by Massimiliano Allegri that the best Juventus was still to come and now the Bianconeri are flying with many important games gone and yet to come.
"I think the championship will be decided at the very end. There are many teams that can win it this year," admitted Pjanic. "We can still improve. Much will depend on us, but we have the strength, the will and the determination to claim our seventh Scudetto in a row. It would be extraordinary given the competitiveness of the opponents."
THE BATTLE WITH ROMA
The next big challenge in the league is set for Saturday with a pre-Christmas showdown against Pjanic's former side, Roma.
"I know Rome well. It is a huge club and they have a lot of quality. They go about their business, know how they want to play and are having a great season. We're playing at home and the fans will be huge for us to get the win we want."
COPPA ITALIA FIRST
Before the match against the Giallorossi, however, Genoa will arrive at the Allianz for the Bianconeri's first Coppa Italia tie of the season.
"It is a big goal of ours to retain our cup crown. The coach repeated it to us today that at Juventus we aim to win everything. Wednesday will not be a simple game, but it's absolutely one we want to win."
LOOKING AT TOTTENHAM
Finally, it's a couple of months away, but never too early to look ahead to the Champions League knockout round opponents: Tottenham Hotspur.
"They're a solid, physical team. We saw that first-hand this summer in a friendly. In the last few years, they're doing well and have grown up on the pitch with a great manager, but we want to win. If you want to go all the way in this competition, you have to win games like these. It will be very important for everyone to be available for us."
