PRESS ROOM | Comments after Juventus-Verona | OneFootball

Coach Thiago Motta, Andrea Cambiaso, Khephren Thuram and Kenan Yildiz spoke to the press after Juventus’ 2-0 win against Verona on Matchday 27 of the Serie A season

THIAGO MOTTA

“It was essential to win today at home and we did. Now we have to work on recovery and regaining a few players to better prepare for the challenge against Atalanta, which will be very demanding. We will face a strong team that plays with great intensity. We will have to be focused, play with energy and take the initiative, because we know it will be a tough match. Atalanta will try to press us aggressively, so we will have to respond with dynamism and aim to achieve the best possible result, which is victory. [Teun] Koopmeiners is a key player for us, a player capable of playing multiple roles on the pitch. He has important physical and technical qualities and interprets different in-game situations very well. We have used him in different positions, first it was further back, and now further forward, and he always knows when to move and how to position himself. Defensively he works hard and is always ready to help his teammates. Today he also scored a goal, which is always important. I have always supported him because I know how much he can give to the team and I see him every day in training. I'm happy to have him with us. I don't impose limitations on my players, especially when we attack. I want them to have freedom to express themselves. Today they tried different solutions, but when a team is organised defensively it becomes complicated to find spaces. We need organisation, because without it everything becomes more difficult, but within this system the lads have room to make the most of their qualities and creativity. In football it is fundamental to be able to be creative in the final third: sometimes it succeeds, other times it is more complicated.”

ANDREA CAMBIASO

“We started by conceding two shots, these types of games are complicated encounters against teams that defend well and are defensively compact. In the second half, however, we managed to find the right solutions and do better. The objective is clear: we want to draw level with Atalanta in the table. Sunday's match will be exciting, we face a team with a particular style of play and it is always a good challenge. Our goal will be to win. I'm often asked what my ideal position is, but honestly I've never been able to give a precise answer. It depends a lot on the game, the opponent and the space we are given. Today it was important to give the team balance and prevent Verona from breaking away, so I was asked to stay deeper and I think I did the job well. I like to help the team, I don't have a fixed position and I always try to adapt to the needs of the moment. Physically I'm still not 100 percent and I'm trying to recover as best I can, I'm happy with my performance because I'm learning to manage myself even though I'm still not at my best. I always want to play at a high level and I have to do that even when I'm not at my best. I am happy and will continue to work to improve.”

KEPHREN THURAM

“The team helps me to play well and to score, the credit goes to everyone. We are a team and we work together to achieve the maximum; now we think about the next game against Atalanta. We have to prepare well during the week to arrive ready to face a great team. We always take it one game at a time, without overcomplicating things. The celebration? It's my brother's, I like doing it. Everyone knows he's my idol, so I like to imitate him.”

KENAN YILDIZ

“We are professionals, we have always given our best and we want to try to continue like this: now we have to take it one game at a time.”