Paulo Sousa insists he did not adjust Fiorentina to neutralise Juventus. “If we play with this desire, determination and intensity, we’ll be difficult for anyone to beat.”
Nikola Kalinic and Milan Badelj got the goals in a 2-1 victory over Juve, as Gonzalo Higuain’s strike was mere consolation.
Paulo Sousa insists he did not adjust Fiorentina to neutralise Juventus. “If we play with this desire, determination and intensity, we’ll be difficult for anyone to beat.”
Nikola Kalinic and Milan Badelj got the goals in a 2-1 victory over Juve, as Gonzalo Higuain’s strike was mere consolation.
“Every game has to be like this for Fiorentina. If we play with this desire, hunger, determination and intensity, then we’ll be very difficult for anyone to beat,” the Coach told Mediaset Premium.
“My team does not reflect the opposition. We have a clear structure and our own ideas, so we tried to follow our own low channels to escape pressing, then as time wore on had more control of the ball.
“We had more shots on goal, more scoring opportunities, and more transitions. In any case, the team interpreted the game well both defending and attacking, so we deservedly won the match.
“Determination, belief, courage and ambition are elements I’ve been trying to instil in my team and each individual player from the start.
“Naturally when we have those elements, the quality of our football improves. It was marvellous to beat a team that has such quality and over five years has shown such superiority over the rest.
“This victory must boost our self-belief, so we know that we can achieve great things and play like this every week. My mission is to win. I love to win, including against teams that are on paper stronger than us. Each little victory helps take us closer to a bigger success.”
Sousa was asked if he would like the opportunity to be on the Juventus bench one day, considering his past there as a player.”
“I try to work every day to do my best and hope God gives me the chance to do what I love the most, which is to be in football and achieve everything I can.”