15 December 2017
CLEAN SHEETS AND SACRIFICE
“What’s important is that we’ve started to really roll up our sleeves again and dig deep for results. In my opinion, that’s what enables you to win matches and league titles. Not conceding any goals in these five games was fundamental. It has been a true team effort, with the strikers and midfielders helping us defenders out. Everyone has played their part.”
CONSISTENCY THE KEY
“There are four teams at the top who just keep racking up the points. Nobody is losing much ground in the title race and it will be a case of whoever remains the most consistent, makes the least mistakes and drops the least points against the so-called ‘smaller’ clubs’ who will ultimately come out on top at the end of the season.
“It’s not up to me to say, but we’ve a very strong squad and we’re enjoying an excellent campaign just like in previous years.”
BENATIA BOOSTING OUR BACKLINE
“We’ve always held great belief in Medhi and that’s particularly the case right now. He really is an essential player for us. We had Leo [Bonucci] before and Medhi is at the same level.
“There’s a fair amount of rotation between us defenders and we all trust one another. Whoever plays does a very good job.”
THE SECRET TO A LONG CAREER
“By training constantly, leading a sensible life off the pitch and by checking that your body is still up to the demands of professional football: these form the secret behind enjoying a long career. Then, when you see that physically you’re not producing the results that you’d want, that’s the time to hang up your boots.”
DYBALA WILL GET BACK AMONG THE GOALS
“[Paulo] Dybala is calm and no different now to when he was banging in the goals earlier in the season. He always has a lot of pressure on him, but it doesn’t require much to spark the trigger inside him and to get back to scoring consistently again.”
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NO LONGER A DREAM
“We all care a great deal about the Champions League. Whereas before it was a dream for us, it has now become something within our reach. It’s a competition in which we can mix with the very best in order to go all the way, as we have done in the last three seasons.
“It’s crucial to get out of the group and from there to keep going as far as possible. Of course, it hurts to lose the finals, but it’s also a tremendous experience to be playing them. Sooner or later, we will win them.”
A WORD ON RENEWAL
“We’ll be maintaining dialogue on the topic of my contract renewal over the coming weeks. There’s a willingness to keep going both from myself and on behalf of the club.”
