Pirlo: Morata was one of our priorities

Juventus travel to AS Roma in the second matchweek of Serie A action looking to keep their perfect start to the season going. The players are taking well to the methods of Andrea Pirlo, who is making his first attempt at coaching having just received all his badges less than a month ago.

Speaking ahead of this game, Pirlo insisted that the legal fiasco now surrounding the club over Luis Suarez’ language proficiency test has not been a distraction for his squad.

“We’ve had a good week of work, better than the last one.

“We’ve upped the intensity and the lads responded well. The rest hasn’t affected us in the slightest.”

He added that Alvaro Morata was always one of the club’s priorities, his familiarity with the club being a key factor.

“We were waiting for a striker to come in and he’s here now. I know Morata well, I was lucky enough to play with him: he was one of our priorities.

“On a technical and tactical level, he’s the player we were looking for.”

Paulo Dybala has returned to training, but it’s a little early to say whether he will play this weekend or not.

“Dybala worked with us, he’s coming back gradually. We’ll see how he is today, he pulled through a heavy workload.

“We’ll decide in the afternoon whether to bring him with us or leave him behind so he can keep training.”

On his squad selection for today’s game, Pirlo said -

“Changing the entire team after one game would be strange. I’ll try to play who I felt worked the best this week.

“I’ll name the team who, I think, are best placed to face the Giallorossi.

“De Sciglio’s available like he was last week.”

It’s looking like veteran Sami Khedira will be leaving the club after all. though Pirlo wouldn’t directly confirm it.

“We talked to Sami to understand what could be the best solution, for him and for us.”