13 March 2018
IMPORTANCE OF ALL THREE POINTS
"We're top of Serie A, through to the TIM Cup final and also in the Champions League quarter-finals, but we've not won anything yet and we need to keep working towards our targets.
“Three points tomorrow are important in terms of increasing the gap between ourselves and Napoli, who are just one point below us at the moment.
“Napoli currently have 70 points and so have the chance to reach 100 by the end of the season. That means we need to be aiming above the 100-point mark. If, in reality, we end up needing less then so be it, but we can’t be resting on our laurels.”
WATCH OUT FOR ATALANTA
“In every match against Atalanta, they make us work very hard. They’re a physically tough team, but also technically skilled.
“We have to be on top of our game technically, tactically and physically in order to make the points ours tomorrow evening.”
SQUAD NEWS
“Cuadrado and Bernardeschi are the only definite absentees through injury. We'll take a look at Alex Sandro's condition too after he was tiring in yesterday's training session. Apart from him, I’ve virtually a fully fit defence to pick from.
“Chiellini will play if he’s feeling ready after a strenuous couple of weeks, otherwise he could be rested. Buffon will definitely be back in goal.
“Matuidi returned from injury quicker than expected so credit to our staff. There's a 99.9% chance that Pjanic will be back in contention for tomorrow’s match.
“Up front, I need to decide who starts between Higuain and Mandzukic, given we've got another game on Saturday. Dybala need to keep getting minutes in his legs, while Douglas Costa is someone who may be required to put in an extra shift to help us through this busy week.”
PAULO - PENALTY TAKER
“After the Udinese match, I made it clear that Paulo [Dybala] will be our designated penalty taker from this point. I'll be the one to decide otherwise."
PRAISE FOR THE PLAYERS
“Gonzalo [Higuain] is an extraordinary player, not only in terms of goalscoring. His technique and reading of the game are up there with the very best in the world.
“Mario [Mandzukic] is both physically strong and technically gifted. He'll be a big player for us in this run-in.
“Over the last three seasons together, we've achieved a lot even if many of the players have changed. They are the ones who have given us so much to cheer.
“The history books will always be there and testify to what we've done so far, but in order to write new history, we need to keep going."
