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Benatia pinpoints pre-match prep as key to victory

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Benatia pinpoints pre-match prep as key to victory
Benatia pinpoints pre-match prep as key to victory
Benatia pinpoints pre-match prep as key to victory

Having started and finished the game against Napoli, helping Juve keep a clean sheet and leave the San Paolo with all three points, Medhi Benatia was understandably pleased.

And he made no attempt to hide his satisfaction after the final whistle as he revealed the Bianconeri had implemented Massimiliano Allegri's game plan perfectly.

“We worked long and hard studying Napoli's movement to make sure we were ready to produce a top defensive performance," he began.

“Napoli do two or three things but they're very hard to defend against. They have small, pacy forwards so it wasn't so much a physical battle as a mental one.

“We have to play like that all the time – something we've been lacking a little of late. We can't afford to concede one or two goals every game. Getting the defensive side right is so important in Serie A and for us too if we want to have a good season.

“If we keep things tight at the back, we have world-class players up front who will always get us a goal or two.”

One of those players is Gonzalo Higuain – the man who struck the all-important winner at his former stomping ground.

“Not that he needed me to tell him, but after the game I reminded him that he's great player.

"He gave the perfect response to the boos and battled away even with one hand out of action.”

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