09 May 2019
SUNDAY'S GAME
The eighth Scudetto in a row has already been sealed for almost three weeks, yet the season is still not over with three games still to play in Serie A. Following games against Inter and Torino, the Bianconeri face yet another tough opponent this weekend in the form of Roma.
It's a difficult end to the season for Juventus who will still be looking to end the campaign in the best possible way, and Mattia De Sciglio is keen to ensure that Juve finish the season strong: "We are Juventus and we have an image to maintain, and we also have to play our best out of respect for the teams that are still fighting for something. Against Torino we had a good approach from the start, whilst at the San Siro we were a bit too relaxed for the whole first half, but instead we played a good second. The game against Roma will be important also for the prestige of the match and we will have to be focused from the first minute."
ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN IN THE UCL
It will be an all-English final in the Champions League following the remarkable comebacks of both Liverpool and Tottenham in their respective semi-finals, whilst there could also be an all-English Europa League final should both Arsenal and Chelsea advance from their semis. Therefore, is this a sign of the superiority of the Premier League right now? "It's not a situation that occurs every year - underlines the Juventus defender - so the other leagues just like our own Serie A shouldn't be discounted. In the Champions League final both Barcelona and Ajax could have made it, but the semi-finals showed that in Europe anything can happen and that the slightest moment can overturn a result and compromise qualification. It's difficult to make a prediction on who will win the final, but it will be a good game to watch."
BARZAGLI, THE EXAMPLE
The last thought is for Andrea Barzagli, fresh from his 38th birthday celebrations, with a surprise party organised in the training ground locker room. The Bianconeri defender is about to embark on his last few games of what has been an extraordinary career: "Barza is one of the main men from these eight league titles, but also of Italian football. It will be a big loss even for the level of dressing room spirit that he brings. To me and to the younger players he taught how important it is to always have a professional attitude, one that has allowed him to play at this level up until the age of 38."
