21 January 2018
GETTING BACK INTO THE GROOVE
"Returning to the pitch after the break there is always a bit of a question mark. Tomorrow we will have to suffer, but what matters are the three points.
"The fact that we will already know the Atalanta-Napoli result will not give us a special advantage, the important thing is to win the games, regardless of what Napoli do. Tomorrow we have to pick up where we left off, and then we will have a match practically every three days, Chievo on Saturday, and the first leg of the TIM Cup semi-final against Atalanta the following Tuesday.
"We have trained well this week, but obviously the workloads could be felt, that's why the most important thing will be to win, then we can try to reach our best condition. This match must give us the momentum for a very important period.
"Genoa haven't conceded a single goal in four matches, apart from the TIM Cup against us, and have only conceded a total of three goals in their last seven with Ballardini on the bench. Genoa defend well, have quality players upfront and the game will not be easy."
TEAM NEWS AFTER THE BREAK
"Dybala's condition will be evaluated each week, Howedes is recovering but needs a little more time, and Cuadrado will be assessed in the next few days. De Sciglio is available, whilst Marchisio will rejoin the group on Thursday. Rugani should be available after two days of gastroenteritis, today he will train with the team and tomorrow he should be OK.
"Next week Gigi will be available, and fortunately Szczesny has done well in his absence. Buffon doesn't need advice on his future, it's important for us to have him back in the squad, this month and a half of forced rest could serve him well for the end of the season.
"I have a doubt of who to play between Douglas Costa and Bernardeschi and between Barzagli, De Sciglio or Lichsteiner behind, I will decide between today and tomorrow. Given the absence of Marchisio, I have no other solutions unless I decide to play with the two midfielders and to put, at that point all four attackers available on the pitch, Higuain; Douglas Costa; Bernardeschi and Mandzukic."
SEVEN STRAIGHT SCUDETTI THE AIM
"To win the Scudetto we know that we will have to do great things, considering that we have two points more than last year but Napoli has 51. At this moment, they are just in front and we must chase, Sarri's team has shown that they have everything to win, but after winning six consecutive Scudettos, we have to do everything to win the seventh. But we must stay calm because in April we will have direct clashes against our rivals and those will be key moments."
