Arek Milik insists ‘I do not consider myself a reserve’ player at Juventus after the hat-trick to beat Frosinone 4-0 in the Coppa Italia quarter-final.
The last Juventus player to net a hat-trick in the Coppa Italia was Alessandro Del Piero against Fiorentina in January 2006, but Milik set the scene for this rout before an acrobatic Kenan Yildiz volley.
“I am very happy that we got through to the semi-finals and also for my hat-trick, as it helped us achieve that aim,” Milik told Sky Sport Italia and Mediaset, still carrying the match ball.
On the third goal, Manuel Locatelli pounced on a napping Frosinone defender and laid the pass on a silver platter for the striker rather than go for goal himself.
“We are friends, so perhaps that influenced him!”
The Poland international had never even scored a brace for Juve before, let alone a hat-trick, and was without a single goal since October 7.
“I do not consider myself a reserve. Even when I do not start, my mind is on the team, helping my teammates and providing support, ultimately the choice is down to the coach. If I cannot help with goals, I try to help with other elements.
“Now we cannot wait to play the semi-final, even if it will be a bit of a wait.”
The semi-final is the only Coppa Italia round to be played over two legs, and both the home and away fixtures against Lazio are expected to be in April.
While Juve rarely score more than one per game in Serie A, they have been running wild in the Coppa Italia, beating Salernitana 6-1 and now Frosinone 4-0.
“It depends on the game. This evening we had more spaces, more opportunities, whereas in Serie A it is often not the same. We often find ourselves having to help the midfielders and defenders in the final 30 minutes, today it was them helping us to attack, but it depends on the opponent and how the game is going.”
Brilliance by Weston McKennie 🤩🇺🇸
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) January 11, 2024
The American plays an outstanding ball to Arkadiusz Milik who has a brace ⚽ pic.twitter.com/yXecbbBO5z