Juventus vice president Pavel Nedved took part to the schedule presentation yesterday evening and commented about the transfer market to Tuttomercatoweb: “Since we have won eight titles in a row, we feel like we already have a strong squad. Obviously, we are looking to further bolster it window is open. Romelu Lukaku? I do not want into details and I do not want to discuss any single players, let’s say that we are working.”
On Paulo Dybala: “There have been some proposals, some preliminary talks, but we are waiting for concrete stuff and we will take our time in making a decision.”
On the title race and Inter: “We already faced them in China, it was an excellent appetizer. We want to beat them, but we know they are building something important. It will be a pleasure to face them in Serie A.”
On Maurizio Sarri: “We are just at the first training sessions and games, so we need to give him time to explain his ideas, which are very interesting, and to the players to understand them.”
Cristiano Ronaldo was in Madrid to receive the Marca Leyenda award at the Reina Victoria theater and was subsequently interviewed by the publication: “Leaving Real Madrid after so many years and moving to another league, with new teammates, was not easy at age 33. That is why I think I had my best season in 2018/19: we won the Scudetto and the Supercoppa with Juventus, then Nations League with Portugal, so three trophies in a year. It is a very important competition, it will put it in my trophy case very proudly.”
On Sarri: “He told me I will have freedom but that obviously will not be the case because there is team concept and I have some tasks as well: cover some areas, keep the ball. I will do the same thing I have done at Real or with Portugal. I will defend, track back, take care of some defensive duties, that is the only way a team can win trophies.”
On his future: “I am not worried because everything will depend on how I feel and on my motivations, because it will never be an issue physically. You have to treat your body well until you are 40, but the main element is psychological. I hope nothing will change for few years. I will not last forever but I feel strong enough to continue doing meaningful stuff.”
On Champions League: “We will give it a shot as always. We know it is very very challenging because several teams are going for it. Real Madrid, Barcelona that reinforced the team, Atletico Madrid, Manchester City: only one club can prevail and I hope it will be Juventus. We got stronger, but it will hinge on many factors: group, moments, injuries, luck. It must not be an obsession. Juventus will prevail: if it will not be this year then it will be the next one considering the way they operate. They have everything in place to do it.
On Gianluigi Buffon: “We spoke a lot, he is happy for this return. He is one of the best goalkeepers in history, if not the best. He is a five-star man, I am happy to be his teammate.”
On Matthijs De Ligt: “I was not essential for his arrival, I just made a comment after the Nations League final, as it is usual to do. It is normal, he is 19 and leaves it all on the pitch. I have never influenced a coach or an executive on any purchase, but I am glad here is here with us.”
Over the weekend, Merih Demiral’s agent clarified the future of the young defender: “He is very happy to be at Juventus, which does not want to sell him. He will not be loaned out either.”
Patrice Evra retired in the last few days and explained his departure from Juventus in 2017 in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport: “I was playing very little that season, almost exclusively in Champions League: I wanted to be on the pitch at all times and I told that to Massimiliano Allegri. I was not happy. Prior to the Supercoppa in Doha, before Christmas, the coach said to me that I would not start, since Alex Sandro would be in the XI. For the first time in my career, I did not put my full effort into the pre-game warm-up. Sandro subbed off due an injury after 33 minutes and I entered the game, but I was not ready, so the sister of Evra featured instead of my real self. In that very moment I realized that it was time to leave, even though Juventus always have a special place in my heart.”
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