Claudio Marchisio admits that finishing the season unbeaten will mean nothing for Juventus” data-scaytid=”2″>Juventus if they don’t win the Scudetto.
Currently a point ahead of title rivals Milan with six games to play, the Bianconeri face arguably their toughest remaining test this weekend with Roma’s visit to Turin.
Claudio Marchisio admits that finishing the season unbeaten will mean nothing for Juventus if they don’t win the Scudetto.
Currently a point ahead of title rivals Milan with six games to play, the Bianconeri face arguably their toughest remaining test this weekend with Roma’s visit to Turin.
However, midfielder Marchisio is aware that more than the weekend matters for the club in a tight title race.
“The Scudetto race is absolutely not over, we will remain focused until the end,” he told Sky Sport 24 on Friday.
“Allegri says that whoever wins the title will be the team with the surest nerves, this is true, but it is not the only component. We must stay focused as we have proven to be up to this point. We’ll also need a little luck to get to the end.
“We’ll need to be alert and show desire in every game, not just in Sunday’s clash. On paper we have easier games ahead of us after Roma, but we’re fully aware it’s not like that and we must always be at our maximum. It’s an even tussle with Milan.
“We attach great importance to the unbeaten record, but it will mean nothing if we fail to win the Scudetto. At this point, we want it very strongly.”
The midfielder was asked about the potential last meeting this weekend between Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero, and if he and Daniele De Rossi were ready to take their place as their team’s flag bearers.
“The final showdown between Totti and Del Piero? They’ve gifted extraordinary moments to Italian football, both with the World Cup win in 2006 and throughout their careers as a whole.
“They’ll have the desire to play a key role once again.
“It is up to us to deserve this ‘handover’. Daniele has so much experience and is not only a great midfielder but also a good defender, as we see him playing that role recently.
“He stopped me when I tried to break forward in the first meeting, fingers crossed he won’t be so successful come this Sunday evening.”
Marchisio was also asked of comparisons between this Juventus side and previous versions of the team that have fought for the title.
“Surely, the fact that in the past two seasons Juve have struggled and finished seventh twice and not played in the Champions League can have an impact on the perception of our great players.
“However, Juve still retains its charm, has always had its appeal, more so now that we are getting such great results and it is easier to see these great players again at Juve.
“This is an important team, whilst it is also clear that next year we will improve again when reinforced for future objectives.”
The Italy international also had a word for former Under-21 teammate Piermario Morosini, who died last weekend.
“I felt great sadness at the death of Piermario. I remember the two years I spent alongside him with the Under-21s, along with the youth team games against Atalanta, where he played alongside Marco Motta…
“He was a wonderful guy, always relaxed and helpful.”