Pirlo: Juve play as a team and help each other

Juventus picked up a useful 2-1 win against Inter Milan away at the San Siro during the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi final last Tuesday, and will be looking to seal their passage through to the final of the tournament when the two sides clash in their return leg in Turin tomorrow.

Speaking ahead of the game, coach Andrea Pirlo insisted that his side will not be playing like they already hold an advantage.

“It’s the second round of an important meeting, we have a chance to go to the final, it’s a target we must reach at all costs.

“We must have the right approach, it starts from 0-0, this game will be like a final. We must be focused.”

Two of the stars of the current campaign Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi missed that game with suspensions, but will return tomorrow.

“They are crucial for Inter, we know their characteristics well and we should be very concentrated.”

Pirlo provided a squad update, saying that Leonardo Bonucci, Arthur and Alvaro Morata could all miss the game.

“Gianluigi Buffon and Dejan Kulusevski will start.”

What is the coach liking from what he’s seen in the Bianconeri’s current form?

“I am reassured by the mental aspect. We are very positive, we believe in what we do and it is a nice starting point. We have specific goals that we want to achieve and we are working on that.

“Defeats have convinced us that we can do many things, we have qualities in the group, 23 starters who can play in any game.”

Juve appear to have turned things around in the new year, with the league defeat at Inter their only blemish on an otherwise perfect record in ten games played in all competitions in 2021.

“We are more compact, we play as a team and we help each other.

“We don’t concede many goals and that’s not only thanks to the defence. Everyone is having the right attitude.”