Juventus vice-president Pavel Nedved said the club will focus on signing more players like Dusan Vlahovic and Manuel Locatelli who ‘did everything in order to join Juve.’
The Champions League Round of 16 with Villarreal kicks off at 20.00 GMT after the first leg ended 1-1 in Spain.
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“We have to hold in our emotions, transmit calm to the players so they can focus, enjoy their football and play like Juve,” Nedved told Amazon Prime Italia.
Vlahovic scored 32 seconds into the first leg, which was his full Champions League debut. How has Nedved found the ex-Fiorentina striker in his first few weeks of Juve?
“Simply, he is astonishing. I already saw many champions in the past and he is at that level. It’s just the way he presents himself, he’s very humble, focused, ready to work with everyone, stays behind after training to work on improving. That’s what makes him special.
“I think Locatelli and Dusan are examples of the players we want in future, because they did everything in order to join Juve. They really wanted to be here.”
Both Vlahovic and Locatelli rejected more lucrative proposals from the likes of Arsenal in order to push through their transfers to Turin.
Giorgio Chiellini is back on the bench this evening after injury, but Leonardo Bonucci is still out along with several others.
“It’s fundamental to have players like Chiello, Bonucci, in the past Barzagli, as they pass on this sense of belonging. When people arrive, they don’t understand, but they learn gradually and realise the enormity of wearing this jersey.”
Paulo Dybala is available too, although the controversy continues over his contract, which is due to expire on June 30.
“I am happy we have got important players back, we could do with everyone. There’s not just Paulo who needs a contract renewal, but we told them we will wait, sort things out first on the pitch, focus on the important issues and then we’ll see.
“The lads agreed, they are all unified and we are seeing the results on the pitch.”
𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁! 🏃♂️😤#JuveVillarreal #JuveUCL #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/G8VUt3wWgr
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) March 16, 2022