08 May 2018
“You are at the forefront of a great sporting movement, the most popular and loved of all, and you are role models of behaviour for many young people. Therefore, you have a great responsibility.”
With these very words, the President of Italy Sergio Mattarella, addressed Juventus and Milan, whose managers, technical staff and players were received today at the Quirinal Palace in Rome, together with the referees of the Coppa Italia final, President of CONI Giovanni Malagò, FIGC commissioner Roberto Fabbricini, FIGC General Manager Michele Uva and Serie A President Gaetano Micciché.
Before Italy’s Head of State had spoken, this is what Giovanni Malagò said: “We are delighted and very proud to be here today to respect a tradition that has been repeated for many years: the Coppa Italia has essentially become the Cup of the President of the Republic. I am happy that in tomorrow’s final is a meeting between the two teams in Italy to have won the most titles. We want tomorrow’s match to be a festival of sport.”
BUFFON AND BONUCCI
Thereafter, Gianluigi Buffon and Leonardo Bonucci reiterated just how much the players felt the responsibility of being able to influence the behaviour of the masses: “We are together here with Milan to play in a competition, the Coppa Italia, which in recent years has improved thanks to the excellent work done,” underlined the Juventus captain.
“This proves that when there are ideas and also desire, you can make something beautiful even when it’s in decline. We know very well what it means to represent Juventus and Milan and we promise to invest the maximum commitment and maximum loyalty into this match. If our opponents end up winning, we shall shake their hands.”
“We and Juventus have a duty to crown this great festival of football,” concluded Bonucci. “Milan will play its part and Juventus will do so too. All too often we lose sight of the real purpose of this discipline. Let's enjoy the party and entertain the millions of fans watching us.”
