Pirlo: Juventus have learned and raised their level

Juventus travel to Napoli tomorrow in a Serie A clash tomorrow, having just beaten the Neapolitan side in the SuperCoppa a fortnight ago.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference, coach Andrea Pirlo is ready for the opposition.

“We’ve already faced them in the Super Cup and tomorrow’s game is more important than the reverse fixture that was not played, these situations can be annoying and we are only focusing on ourselves.

“We are improving, we had lost against Inter and luckily, after that game, we played and won a final. The team have raised the level and understood their mistakes. We begun a convincing path, we knew we needed time to improve on a tactical level.

“We look at ourselves, we want to win games and get as much points as possible, we want to win in Naples for ourselves, we don’t look at them, but we focus on the teams that are ahead of us.”

Gennaro Gattuso - often the butt of Pirlo’s practical jokes during their playing days together - is at risk of losing his job should the Bianconeri prevail again tomorrow.

“It’s part of our job. We want to do our best, every game is important, there can be tough moments for each one of us, but I have no problems about it. I am sorry for Rino’s situations, but I have my problems too. We want to do well, trying to win games.”

Pirlo has had to tap into his side’s defensive mindset in the last couple of games against attacking sides Inter Milan and AS Roma.

“Nothing is changing, we faced Inter and Roma differently and it was my choice.

“Our tactical approach depends on the opponents. The organization remains the same, it’s not always possible to press high up the pitch, sometimes it’s better to sit deep and let the opponents keep the ball possession.”

Paulo Dybala, Arthur, and Aaron Ramsey will miss this game, though Leonardo Bonucci is expected to be in the squad.

“Arthur has a post-traumatic calcification that we will monitor from day to day.

“Dybala is recovering, he still feels pain in his knee and Bonucci is fatigued, today he will train with us and then we will decide whether he will travel with the team in Naples, the same is true of Ramsey.

“Morata is feeling better, he is recovering from a flu, he could start the game or remain on the bench, I have many options.”