06 January 2021
Juventus head back to Turin from San Siro with three points in the bag thanks to a wonderful win over AC Milan. A brace by a deadly Federico Chiesa and a tap-in by substitute Weston McKennie ensured victory for a Juve side that was able to react positively throughout the match and struck the decisive blow in the second half. Here’s what coach Andrea Pirlo, Federico Chiesa and Leonardo Bonucci made of the 3-1 win for the Bianconeri.
ANDREA PIRLO
“It was a key game for us and we were focused on what we needed to do, regardless of the other results. It was important to have the spirit of a team that wants to dictate the play and can come to this stadium to beat the league leaders. Chiesa? That’s his role. We signed him to get him into one-on-one situations in the final third and he does that brilliantly. We produced a good performance. Rabiot was fresh and wanted to play. When he’s in this shape, he can do anything. Not even he knows how much potential he has. As for their goal, there was a foul on Rabiot and the game should’ve been stopped, but we then made mistakes as a team. Our positioning wasn’t good and we were a bit slow to react. In terms of my choices, I’m lucky enough to be able to select the team game after game based on what we’re trying to achieve and how the opposition play. We needed Dybala to get his physical fitness back and he’s doing just that, but we’re still waiting for him to be back at 100%.”
LEONARDO BONUCCI
“We came here knowing that it was going to be a very important game. The results this afternoon made it even more so and we did well to control the contest from start to finish. We created so many chances and only our mistakes allowed them to create any of their own. We played as a team, battled and believed, which is the spirit that has to stand out in every game. In terms of yesterday [in reference to positive Covid tests], we knew we still had to play the fixture. We were just focused on our objective of getting three points. We have to take it game by game and put a winning run together. We’ve shown that this team is still so hungry. We’re now fully focused on the next match against Sassuolo.”
FEDERICO CHIESA
“I’m fine. I had a small hip problem, but no muscle issues. It’s nothing serious. I’m happy with the consistency in my performances. It’s very important and the senior players here also talk about that. Giving everything for this team takes you to a high level and the goals are a result of that. For the first goal, I just did what the coach asks of me: to release the ball and time my runs into space well. When you have players like Dybala and Cristiano who see things that others don’t, everything is easier. The second goal on my left foot, however, is down to training. You have greater responsibility at Juve. I always try to help the side out defensively and I’m also pleased when we manage to dig in together and stand firm. We’ve got a fantastic result as a team this evening and we’re very pleased.”
