23 December 2023
Coach Massimiliano Allegri and goalscorers Kenan Yildiz and Dusan Vlahovic comment after Saturday's success in Frosinone.
MASSIMILANO ALLEGRI
“The team played a good match on a pitch where only Napoli had won: it wasn't easy and after an excellent first half in which we created a lot, we only scored one goal. In the second half we dropped a bit and they immediately equalized with a ball we should have done better with: luckily there was a reaction and the victory came in the end. I'm happy for both Kenan Yildiz and Dusan Vlahovic for these goals. We have recovered several players, there is an excellent spirit in the locker room and all the players who have come in have done well. We have exceeded the 38 points we had set: now let's have a good Christmas and then think about Roma. Let's see on January 7th how many points we have and we will understand how close we are to the Champions League quota, which remains our first objective. Starting on the bench reassured Vlahovic, after the criticism of the last matches: I knew that he could give us a hand in the last 30 minutes and so he did. He is also growing mentally. Yildiz is very mature: when Federico Chiesa was ruled out, I thought of him because he is the natural replacement for him."
KENAN YILDIZ
“It's an incredible feeling: I have to thank everyone, from the fans to the coach who gave me this opportunity. My celebration is inspired by Del Piero, I decided to stick my tongue out for him who was a legend of this team and of football in the 90s. This goal is a huge thing, an immense joy. For me Allegri is a great coach, I always do and follow what he tells me - that's why when he told me to cut my hair I did it immediately, he's the boss. Yesterday he told me in training that I would play after Chiesa's injury and then today he confirmed that I would be a starter: it was a great emotion, but I slept very well last night. I wasn't nervous because I have confidence in myself and my abilities. I am inspired by the great champions of the past, by Zidane and Del Piero who are my idols, as well as Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. When we all gathered together in the middle of the pitch at the end of the match they put me in the middle to celebrate the goal and told me that I have to pay for all the boys to have dinner. I will do it with pleasure.”
DUSAN VLAHOVIC
“In today's goal and celebration there is a desire to win and help the team because we aim to make the fans happy. It's not easy for a striker when you don't score consistently, but I work at my best every day and I'm confident I can lend a hand to the group. I have always been calm, I know that the past can no longer be changed, but you have to live in the present to try to do well in the future. I'm always on track and focused, with the help of the team and the coach, but the match is already over and I'm thinking about the next challenge. It doesn't matter who starts or who comes off the bench: with five substitutions there are almost two games to play in the 90 minutes. I was calm and luckily I managed to help the team. I know that I can be decisive even during the game. I know that the team needs me and my goals, it's a moment in which I score less: eventually the goals will come. And I will return to take penalties too."
