Ivan Juric has claimed Europa League rivals Parma ‘are a real team’ and stressed that his Hellas Verona had targeted salvation at the start of the term.
The Mastini have picked up four points from three games after the resumption and sit three points behind Milan at seventh in the Serie A but are tied with Parma ahead of their direct meeting on Wednesday.
Juric has pointed at the strength of their opponents tomorrow but aims, ‘as always’, to get the three points at the Bentegodi.
Ivan Juric has claimed Europa League rivals Parma ‘are a real team’ and stressed that his Hellas Verona had targeted salvation at the start of the term.
The Mastini have picked up four points from three games after the resumption and sit three points behind Milan at seventh in the Serie A but are tied with Parma ahead of their direct meeting on Wednesday.
Juric has pointed at the strength of their opponents tomorrow but aims, ‘as always’, to get the three points at the Bentegodi.
“Salvation was our goal from the start and when we started, it was a very ambitious target,” Juric said at a press conference. “Having said that, we want to score points in every game, as always.
“It will be the same against Parma. The Ducali are a real team, they always play for the result, preparing for each game in a different way – depending on the opponent.
“They make the most out of the players they have available.”
Verona resumed with a 2-1 win against Parma but have since conceded five goals in the next two games against Napoli and Sassuolo, picking up one point in a 3-3 draw against the latter.
“In this period, it’s not possible to have perfection, many situations must be taken into account,” he added. “Even against Sassuolo, we held our own for 70 minutes and by shifting our balance the match opened a bit more, also thanks to our opponents.
“Physically, I think we are managing the team well, especially compared to the first days of the recovery, when even the most basic things were complicated by the long inactivity of the lockdown.
“But having said that, it’s undeniable that in the last match against Sassuolo, many were tired. We need to evaluate this day by day.”
Miguel Veloso has signed an extension until June 2021 and the coach was happy to learn that his Portuguese midfielder will continue next season.
“I’m very happy for his renewal, he has shown that he can still do very well. He’s a runner, who gives our games a lot of quality and he can be incisive going forward.”
The Croatian coach continued to praise Veloso’s colleague in the middle, Mattia Zaccagni, as ‘one of the smartest players’ he has worked with.
“He makes his teammates play well and defends in an exceptional way,” Juric revealed. “He is one of the smartest footballers I have trained so far.
“If he can be more incisive in the last 20 to 25 meters, he can aspire to play for the national team.”