31 August 2018
PARMA FIRST, THE REST LATER
"Although the Parma game is imminent and the most important thing in mind right now, the Champions League draw has given us a group with two excellent teams in Manchester and Valencia, and then there are Young Boys who outsiders. However, we'll think about it after our Serie A game against Sassuolo.
"Juventus have always historically struggled in Parma. I believe that in the last 24 matches there they have won seven times Parma, there have been 10 draws and seven wins for Juve. We have scored 26 goals at Parma whilst they have netted 24 times against us.
"Parma will be up for it tomorrow night, they are a newly promoted side and we can't go there with the wrong mentality, we must show them respect and we want to go into the international break relaxed and with maximum points available.
"The league will be tougher this year as a lot of the mid-top level teams have improved, and then the teams at the very top like Inter and Napoli are stronger, plus there is Roma who are as strong as they were as last year. Therefore it will be a tougher campaign in my opinion."
TOMORROW'S TEAM NEWS
"Dybala has been working hard to improve his physical condition and like the rest of the team, we expect to see everyone back in even better shape after the international break, with tomorrow being the end of a mini-cycle.
"The arrival of Cristiano has been stimulating for everyone, there is a great level of competitiveness within the team and everyone wants to play. Ronaldo is fine, he is training well and it's normal for him that yesterday he may have been disappointed after scoring 15 goals in the Champions League and going on to win it along with Modric and the other players. However, this shows you his work ethic and how he continues to strive to be the best and for us this is an advantage.
"All of the players are fine and De Sciglio has also returned to the fray. Now just we need to improve their physical condition and the understanding between them, because we are only at the beginning of the season and tomorrow we have an important game to win.
"I have a doubt for who will play on the right of the defence between Cuadrado or Cancelo, but the rest of the back four I have settled upon. Ronaldo plays tomorrow, as does Mandzukic but I still need to decide who will partner them in attack.
"I don’t know if we’ll go with two or three in midfield, and one of Emre Can or Khedira will play there. Can is doing well and it’s a new league for him to get used to. He’s not been here for long and is still getting a feel for things, slowly he’ll get to know Italian football better. You can't criticise a player like Sami Khedira. He's one of few players who has always been trusted and fielded by every manager he's ever had. He's a world champion and a winner, the facts speak for themselves."
