Here’s what Luca Gotti had to say before Udinese’s 2021/22 season opener against Juventus.
What do you and the team find motivating about starting the season against a team like Juventus?
"We've been training for 45 days and the desire to get going again has been building up over that time. Starting against the best team over the last ten years is doubly motivating."
How is the team looking coming into this game?
"We know it won't be a normal match for our fans and our president. Like what usually happens at this stage of the season, we’ve got here by making small steps. Week after week we’ve been improving. We know we're not the finished team yet but we're preparing to put our best into this match."
What is key to putting Massimiliano Allegri’s side under pressure?
"We can’t give them lots of space and we mustn't focus only on defending. You can't let a team like Juve get into their comfort zone. It takes physical and mental strength, as well as a little luck, to put them under pressure."
What Juventus are you expecting?
"I expect to see the Juventus that we saw for five years with Allegri: a strong team with a winning mentality. I faced him many times when I was an assistant coach. He's a friend and I know he has a great ability to read things and adapt mid-game. Facing him will certainly be motivating."
Fernando Forestieri is out with a muscle strain. Has Jens Stryger Larsen recovered?
"Larsen didn’t train with the team yesterday. Today's training session will be important to assess his condition."
Is Gerard Deulofeu improving? Is he ready to play tomorrow?
"He's certainly improving and he seems to be doing well. However, he’s far from his full potential. He’s had very little game time so we'll have to be a bit patient."
Stadiums are open again at 50% capacity. What’s your message for the fans?
"Welcome back. Finally we have your all-important support again."
What do you and the team find motivating about starting the season against a team like Juventus?
"We've been training for 45 days and the desire to get going again has been building up over that time. Starting against the best team over the last ten years is doubly motivating."
How is the team looking coming into this game?
"We know it won't be a normal match for our fans and our president. Like what usually happens at this stage of the season, we’ve got here by making small steps. Week after week we’ve been improving. We know we're not the finished team yet but we're preparing to put our best into this match."
What is key to putting Massimiliano Allegri’s side under pressure?
"We can’t give them lots of space and we mustn't focus only on defending. You can't let a team like Juve get into their comfort zone. It takes physical and mental strength, as well as a little luck, to put them under pressure."
What Juventus are you expecting?
"I expect to see the Juventus that we saw for five years with Allegri: a strong team with a winning mentality. I faced him many times when I was an assistant coach. He's a friend and I know he has a great ability to read things and adapt mid-game. Facing him will certainly be motivating."
Fernando Forestieri is out with a muscle strain. Has Jens Stryger Larsen recovered?
"Larsen didn’t train with the team yesterday. Today's training session will be important to assess his condition."
Is Gerard Deulofeu improving? Is he ready to play tomorrow?
"He's certainly improving and he seems to be doing well. However, he’s far from his full potential. He’s had very little game time so we'll have to be a bit patient."
Stadiums are open again at 50% capacity. What’s your message for the fans?
"Welcome back. Finally we have your all-important support again."