20 May 2016
Massimiliano Allegri says the Bianconeri will need to be firing on all cylinders if they are to overcome a Milan side looking to salvage their campaign with Coppa Italia honours tomorrow night at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
Whilst ruling out surprises as far as his team selection is concerned, the Tuscan tactician did elect to keep his cards close to his chest when asked who would line up in the centre of the park, revealing only the name of Paul Pogba as a certain starter.
Regardless of the names on the team sheet, winning is the fundamental principle that defines Juventus Football Club and Allegri is convinced that following tomorrow’s final assignment of the season, his team will return ready to refocus their efforts on maintaining the club’s upward trajectory for many years to come.
Here is a selection of quotes from the boss' press conference in the capital:
Determined display
“We’ll be facing an AC Milan side ready for battle and desperate to win the match, as we will be. We can’t be presumptuous or superficial. We need to produce a determined performance worthy of a great side."
Team selection
“There won’t be many surprises. We have three defenders so they will play and I’ve said that Dybala and Mandzukic will probably start up front. Morata and Zaza can have an impact during the game too, as they have done all season.
“I still have to decide who to play in midfield, apart from Pogba. The other two positions – defensive midfield and right-sided central midfield – are still to be decided.”
Winning traditions
“Winning is always our aim and we’ll never rest on our laurels. After tomorrow’s game, regardless of the result, we’ll return from our holidays fired up and ready to go for tremendous goals: a sixth Scudetto, the Champions League and the Coppa Italia.”
Divine intervention
“I will never forget the meeting we had with the Pope this morning. That’s something that will stay with me for ever. We were all very lucky to have had an audience with the Holy Father.”
