Angel Di Maria is realising that ‘Italian football is generally very difficult’ after Juventus fought hard for the win away to managerless Spezia and now turns his focus to Nantes in the Europa League.
It was far from a vintage performance for the Old Lady, but they got the job done with Moise Kean’s scuffed volley on the Filip Kostic cross and a snooker shot from substitute Di Maria.
Fideo was not originally expected to feature at all due to a muscular concern after Thursday’s 1-1 Europa League play-off draw with FC Nantes, but he came off the bench and made an immediate impact with that goal after just 10 minutes.
It was pointed out to him that he is Juve’s version of Pulp Fiction character Mr Wolf – The Cleaner who solves problems.
“I want to help the team, whether I start the game or come off the bench. I am very happy to have scored, as after the assist for Rabiot against Nantes, I wanted to be on the scoresheet too,” the World Cup winner told DAZN.
The hosts could count themselves unlucky, as after losing Bartlomiej Dragowski to injury, they had more possession, chances and shots on target, but Mattia Perin proved decisive with saves on Emmanuel Gyasi and Dimitrios Nikolaou.
“I think at times we are a little tired playing so many games, and Italian football is generally very difficult, especially if you leave yourselves open to the counter-attack. We are trying to keep our heads up and continue to improve.”
The first leg of that Europa League draw with Nantes ended 1-1 and away goals no longer count double in UEFA tournaments, so it still means a draw in France will prompt extra time and a win would send Juve through to the Round of 16.
“We want to qualify, we deserved a better result in the first leg and now we are trying to do our best to get through.”