Andrea Pirlo brushes aside Super League controversy and assures Juventus want to ‘redeem’ themselves against Fiorentina. ‘We cannot afford to let anything get in the way’ of Champions League qualification.
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
Andrea Pirlo brushes aside Super League controversy and assures Juventus want to ‘redeem’ themselves against Fiorentina. ‘We cannot afford to let anything get in the way’ of Champions League qualification.
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“I am convinced by the spirit shown by every player, because we have just one objective in our minds: qualify for the Champions League,” said Pirlo in his press conference.
Cesare Prandelli was the coach when Fiorentina won 3-0 in Turin back in December, but his abrupt resignation last month saw the return of Beppe Iachini.
“We are up against a team that is fighting to avoid relegation. We suffered our first defeat of the season against Fiorentina in December, having played almost the entire match down to 10 men. We naturally have this desire to redeem ourselves against a side that has historically always been a rival to Juve.
“I expect a great game and I hope to get a great result.”
Pirlo confirmed former Fiorentina winger Chiesa will not be in the squad due to injury, but Giorgio Chiellini “should be back from the first minute. Aaron Ramsey hasn’t played much because he had a few fitness issues, but this can be his opportunity.
“Adrien Rabiot has improved in every respect and he will start tomorrow. We’ll see how those who didn’t play midweek have recovered.”
Paulo Dybala and Cristiano Ronaldo played together in the 3-1 win over Parma, but Alvaro Morata could step back in.
“Dybala is doing much better and putting minutes in his legs. You could see his legs were moving better as the game wore on against Parma and he feels increasingly at ease,” continued Pirlo.
“This is my first season working with Ronaldo and I have a great rapport with him. He always wants to do well and gets angry even in training session matches. He always wants to lend his support and be a positive representation for the lads.”
Inevitably, much of the debate has been around the failed Super League coup, although Juventus, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Milan have not formally withdrawn.
“Naturally there was a lot of talk before the Parma game, primarily about the Super League, and that might’ve affected the players mentally a little bit,” continued Pirlo.
“The objective remains to qualify for the Champions League and it is so important, we cannot afford to let anything else get in the way. I am convinced we’ll face this match with the right concentration.
“The atmosphere is positive, the team wants to do well and we feel almost obliged to achieve this target.”
If Juventus do qualify, do they fear being thrown out of the Champions League as punishment for the Super League plan?
“No, we are not afraid of that. We’re concentrated, this is our job and we are convinced that we can end the season with all our targets.”