A Juventus menedzsere, Gigi Del Neri szorgalmat és határozottságot kér a csapatától a vasárnap ebédidőben megrendezésre kerülő, Lecce elleni mérkőzés előtt. A Bianconeri a sorozatban harmadik bajnoki győzelem reményében utazik, hogy megmérkőzzőn a Giallorossival, a Cagliari és az Inter elleni győzelmeket követően.

Del Neri: “We need to be on our guard”

Juventus manager Luigi Del Neri has called for application and determination from his side ahead of Sunday’s lunchtime fixture in Lecce. The Bianconeri travel to face the Giallorossi in search of their third consecutive league victory, following recent successes over Cagliari and Inter. Lecce have been struggling in Serie A this season, having won just one of their last six games.

According to the Juventus manager, complacency in Sunday’s game is not an option and the Bianconeri will remain alert: “We expect to face a very motivated squad, yes, they have conceded many goals but they’re also capable of being decisive up front. We need to be on our guard.” Regarding a similar topic, Del Neri was quick to refute the allegation that Juventus play better against the big teams and are less clinical against lesser opposition: “Nowadays, the situation doesn’t exist. We only have to look at the fact that Inter and Milan dropped points against Lecce. Each game is important and can’t be underestimated.”

Juventus are among a clutch of teams chasing a Champions League position, and it has been said that results elsewhere in Serie A will have a big influence on the Bianconeri reaching their targets. Del Neri, however, has insisted that he will remain focused solely on his side’s performance: “We must play with a clear conscience, thinking only of winning. It’s important that we concentrate on our own game and don’t worry about other teams. Other teams will aim higher than the Champions League, and so can we, but the main issue is to do our best.”

On the subject of Serbian winger Milos Krasic, and in form Alessandro Matri, the Bianconeri manager believes that both need to continue to aim for their targets: “Milos is improving, but he needs to learn to conserve his energy for 90 minutes. It’s difficult to ask for more from a player who never stops. As regards Alessandro, he has goals in his blood. I hope he can be top scorer of the Championship as it will be beneficial not only for him but also for Juventus.”

At last night’s youth sector meeting, chaired by Arrigo Sacchi, the former national manager commented that Juve had passed through their recent “period of darkness”. Del Neri appeared to concur: “The only dark experience we had were the injuries. Last month was difficult, but thanks to our players regaining fitness we’re now out of the darkness and facing matches with a full squad at our disposal.” Juventus will hold their final training session this afternoon before making the journey to Lecce. Tomorrow’s game kicks off from the Via del Mare stadium at 12:30pm