Leonardo Semplici admits the only way SPAL will be able to beat Juventus on Saturday is if they ‘have their minds elsewhere’.
Juve only need a point at SPAL to clinch their eighth consecutive Scudetto, but the Bianconeri will name a second-string XI in Ferrara, with next week’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Ajax the priority.
“I don’t think with Juve’s players, regardless of who plays, the desire to win isn’t there,” Semplici said at a Press conference.
Leonardo Semplici admits the only way SPAL will be able to beat Juventus on Saturday is if they ‘have their minds elsewhere’.
Juve only need a point at SPAL to clinch their eighth consecutive Scudetto, but the Bianconeri will name a second-string XI in Ferrara, with next week’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Ajax the priority.
“I don’t think with Juve’s players, regardless of who plays, the desire to win isn’t there,” Semplici said at a Press conference.
“They are close to winning the Scudetto and they will want to celebrate tomorrow. It is up to us to play an extraordinary match and make it difficult for them.
“These matches with the big teams don’t need any great preparation on a motivational level, but in general we know how important this time of the season is.
“We know what needs to be taken care of to ensure that we arrive prepared at the right moment.
“My players can take to the field motivated with the right attitude and team spirit, but they will need a great performance against a team of real value, who have European-level qualities.
“For us to get something out of the game, Juve need to have their minds elsewhere.”
SPAL sit 16th in the Serie A table on 32 points, four clear of the relegation zone.
“I wish I had his problems,” confessed the Coach, referring to Max Allegri’s injury concerns and admission that he would rest some of his first-teamers.
“We are talking about players who are all practically internationals and those who come in to replace them are of a high level.
“They will come here with a competitive line-up to win, as they do in every game. I hope that on our part, there is the mentality of playing a great game.
“Getting a positive result tomorrow would be of great importance for us. A draw would be a positive result, but to deserve it we will need a big performance.
“For us, it would be a vital point and we must do everything in our power to get it.
“As for ourselves, it went wrong with Kurtic and I was wrong not to rotate more to ensure that these injuries don’t happen.
“Cionek was tired but has benefitted from his rest in Cagliari. Bonifazi had his against Lazio and only Vicari has played all our recent matches, although this week there was time to recover some energy.
“Floccari has recovered from his tonsillitis and has been training fully since Wednesday.
“We have two players who are a booking away from a suspension in Cionek and Fares but leaving them out of this game would make life difficult for us, so they will have to be careful if they don’t want to miss the trip to Empoli.”