27 November 2014
In the build-up to the game Massimiliano Allegri had joked: “Carlitos will score tomorrow and we'll win.”
The aim was for the Argentine to end his away-day hoodoo in Europe, which had seen him draw nothing but blanks on the road in European competition since 2008. Tonight that mission was accomplished.
Asked about his goal, Tevez quipped: “The pitch wasn't great but it helped me score tonight so I can't complain!”
Juve's second of the night, which finally extinguished Malmo's hopes of snatching an equaliser, was actually more difficult than it might appear, as he was forced to hit it with his heel, mid-stride and off-balance. Carlitos explained: “When the ball came to me I knew that I'd have to strike it with the back of my foot. Fortunately it came off for me.”
The striker then went on to discuss the match itself. “We didn't play well in the first period but after Nando's goal Malmo came out into the open more and that's when we saw Juventus at their best. I did expect a bit more from us, though. We're Juventus and we have to improve constantly. We can't be giving away 45 minutes like that. But at the end of the day the main thing tonight was getting the win.”
Three points in the bag then, but Carlitos is hoping for something more going forward and had the following words of advice for his team-mates: “Even in games like this, with all the pressure there is on anyone who pulls on the Juve jersey, we need to show that we're capable of enjoying ourselves out there. If you're having fun, you're more likely to play well than badly. We need to take away some of the pressure that comes with playing in the Champions League and concentrate on enjoying our football in Europe too.”
So there you have it, from a man who knows exactly what it takes to win this competition. May the Bianconeri heed his words as they chase their European dream.
