Ivan Juric finally accepts there is “a need to apologise” for Verona’s racist treatment of Mario Balotelli and is excited about facing “winner” Antonio Conte.
Verona’s 2-1 win against Brescia was overshadowed by the racial abuse suffered by Balotelli at the hands of ultras last weekend, which Juric denied at first.
However, the coach has now conceded the actions of “a few” had resonated.
Ivan Juric finally accepts there is “a need to apologise” for Verona’s racist treatment of Mario Balotelli and is excited about facing “winner” Antonio Conte.
Verona’s 2-1 win against Brescia was overshadowed by the racial abuse suffered by Balotelli at the hands of ultras last weekend, which Juric denied at first.
However, the coach has now conceded the actions of “a few” had resonated.
“Everyone I spoke with after the game felt Balotelli had reacted to sarcastic jeers and chants,” he said at a Press conference.
“The guilty have been found, it’s not good. When it’s like that, you need to apologise. Even if they were only a few, they affected everyone.”
Has he spoken to SuperMario since the controversy broke out?
“Yes, I asked everyone to make sure I didn’t say any stupid things.
“There were only a few people [who abused him], and he agreed.”
The Croat takes his side to San Siro on Saturday for a clash with Antonio Conte’s Inter.
“Conte’s a winner. I need to thank him, because at Chelsea he let me see how he worked.
“I know that he’s not always like that with everyone else. He cares a lot about the details in his preparation, he has a great deal of humility and he’s got clear ideas.
“He has a desire to win, sometimes that’s goes to his advantage and sometimes it doesn’t.”