Angel Di Maria insists ‘assists are more important than goals’ and admits he does not deserve to play against Milan on Saturday.
El Fideo was the man of the match at the Allianz Stadium tonight, having inspired the Old Lady’s 3-1 win with a hat-trick of assists.
“The group is the most important thing, it was an excellent match. I helped the team win. It’s the second victory with three goals scored, something we’d been missing,” Di Maria told Sky Sport Italia, as quoted by Ilbianconero.com.
The Bianconeri had won the first match in a month on Sunday against Bologna, securing a 3-0 win at the Allianz Stadium.
“To win is the most important thing, we fought hard to change the result. I try to do my job, delivering assists is what makes me happy. Assists are more important than goals. I wanted to play like this and I am happy.”
The Bianconeri had lost the previous two games against Benfica and PSG and are now four points behind the leading pair in Group H.
“We must work in this direction and try to score even more goals,” the ex-Real Madrid and Man United star continued.
“We did a great job today, Maccabi did well against Benfica and PSG, they have important players and played a good game, we’ll need attention in the return leg.”
The Argentinean winger will miss Saturday’s Serie A game against Milan, ending his two-match ban.
He had been sent off in the first half of the match against Monza before the international break due to a reaction foul that cost him a two-match suspension.
“I’m sorry not to play, but I deserve it,” He admitted. “I am sorry for what happened, it was a lack of respect for the club and myself. I’ll try not to do it again.”
Juventus will visit Stefano Pioli’s men at San Siro on Saturday before the return leg against Maccabi in Israel next week.