22 May 2015
Wednesday night’s matchwinner Alessandro Matri says his extra-time strike against Napoli – the goal that clinched Juventus their 10th Coppa Italia success – is the most significant of his career to date.
The forward, who returned to the club on loan in the January transfer window, came off the bench to settle an evenly-poised encounter with the Biancocelesti, cementing his name into the club’s history with a poacher’s effort from inside the box.
After allowing time for all the post-match adrenaline to wear off, Matri was back in Vinovo today and spoke exclusively to Jtv about his midweek joy.
He said: “It was the most important goal of my career. It’s the goal that won us our tenth Coppa Italia and one that will go down in history. It’s a feat I’m really proud of.”
With Wednesday’s trophy conquest joining the Scudetto for tomorrow’s victory parade at Juventus Stadium, the celebrations will continue in the stands when Napoli come to town.
And whilst there may be little riding on the game in terms of league standings, Matri says the Bianconeri are determined to honour a traditionally important fixture against one of their main Serie A rivals.
“There’ll be a carnival atmosphere tomorrow, but we mustn’t underestimate the match. We always want to put on a good show and we can’t allow ourselves to slip up. Games against Napoli are always important occasions.”
An inevitable look ahead to the Bianconeri’s Champions League opponents then followed, with Matri saying spirits are high in the camp as they knuckle down to tackle their biggest challenge yet.
“We’ve reached a final that perhaps nobody expected us to. We’re now just one game away from the end goal - we’re confident, preparing well and want to display our strength and try to cause problems for our tough opponents.”
