Juventus director Gianluca Pessotto says the Bianconeri are ‘ready’ to face Bundesliga side Freiburg in the Europa League Round of 16 and hopes Angel Di Maria will remain at the Allianz Stadium for one more season.
The Serie A giants have been paired with Vincenzo Grifo’s club in the Europa League Round of 16.
“It will be a nice tie, an unprecedented match against a team doing really well in the league. They are unbeaten and won twice against Nantes. We are ready to face them,” Pessotto told Sky Sport Italia.
Angel Di Maria inspired Juventus’ 3-0 victory against Nantes on Thursday, scoring a hat-trick in France.
“With him, the team has something more in terms of charisma and quality and the group is following him,” admitted Pessotto.
The 35-year-old now has seven goals and six assists in 21 appearances across all competitions.
However, El Fideo joined Juventus last summer and only signed a contract until the end of the season. He has recently claimed that he’d like to end his career in Argentina, but the Bianconeri hope they will persuade the World Cup winner to extend his stay at the club.
“We hope so. It’s important to end the season well and that could help. Surely, he will give his all until the end, we hope he can also stay in the next season,” said Pessotto, who is happy with the developments of young Juventus players promoted from the academy.
“We are happy, we are reaping the rewards of our work through the years,” said the ex-defender.
“Young players have proved they can handle the pressure of the first team even in difficult situations and this has motivated the guys of the NextGen and Primavera. Some talented guys can do well.”