MILAN – This is what was said following Saturday’s round 32 Serie A match with Juve:
SINISA MIHAJLOVIC
“We prepared tonight’s game well, but in the heat of the moment it’s hard to comment on it. We lost, but we didn’t deserve to lose. We have had no luck this season. However, I am left feeling satisfied because we were playing for pride tonight and we can come away with our heads held high after matching Juve. Buffon made an incredible save. Up until the 70 minute mark we were the better team. Then, we made a few changes and they were better than us. We have to stay fully focused ahead of the TIM Cup final. No one can afford to drop off, especially us. I am interested to see how we do in the next game with Sampdoria. Against the smaller teams we have struggled. We have shown we can match anyone, but we also have to perform against the teams that are weaker on paper. Boateng did well when he came on. He is another one who hadn’t played for a while but is training well. He has the right approach and brings character. If he keeps this up, there will be opportunities for him.”
GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA
“It’s a real shame to have lost this match. We are all disappointed. But we have to build on tonight’s performance. We were unlucky, but we have to keep playing like this. I congratulated Buffon after the game because he made some sensational saves. As I said, we were very unlucky but we now have to look ahead. The determination we showed tonight has been missing at times this season and we have to play with this kind of desire in the coming matches. If we play with the attitude we showed tonight then we can do really well in the upcoming games. There is no reason why we cannot win the TIM Cup final. We showed we can compete with Juve tonight. We know it will be tough, but we can do it.”
JURAJ KUCKA
“We gave it our absolute all. We went for it tonight and it’s a shame about the final score. We have to keep this up. We have been too inconsistent this season and we have to change our mentality which has been our weakness. We have shown that we can match anyone and we now have to focus on the end of season run-in. It’s important we keep playing like we did tonight. We will now focus on the next game with Sampdoria and fight right until the end.”
SINISA MIHAJLOVIC (press conference)
“We didn’t deserve to lose and we deserved at least a draw. The result leaves us feeling angry, but we come away from the match with our heads held high. We played with the right attitude. We matched Juve for 70 minutes and this is a confidence boost for us. We have to also play like this against the teams behind us in the table. We had a few players who were feeling tired in the closing 15-20 minutes, but before then we created a lot. Buffon made some amazing saves tonight. We conceded a cheap goal, but I am happy with the overall performance and I hope we keep this attitude up in the coming games.
The training retreat was useful in getting the problems out in the open. Our problem is a mental one. We now have matches against beatable opposition and if we play like we did today we can win them. I am sorry for the President that we weren’t able to win. I don’t know what he will say. Balotelli was our most dangerous player tonight. He also put a lot of pressure on Marchisio and Bonucci. This is the only way to play against Juve. Bacca is a player that is looking for the ideal foil. He has always played and scored a lot. When the understanding improves, more balls will come his way. However, let’s not forget the saves from Buffon which helped Juve get the result tonight.
The training retreat doesn’t resolve everything, but it was useful to talk and exchange ideas as well as look back at the past 3 or 4 matches. We have done video analysis for instance on specific moments. We have spoken and we have come to the conclusion that there is a psychological problem. Not everything can be resolved by training and commitment. Motivation and the right concentration depend also on the mindset of each player. I have done everything to encourage the players this season.
The performance tonight gives me confidence, but in the past we haven’t always built on solid displays. Playing on level terms with Juve is a confidence boost. Not by chance are they top of the league. If we play like we know how, we can win the TIM Cup final. Let’s not forget that it’s a one-off match. We must finish the season at least in sixth place. Otherwise, it would be a total failure and then we will focus on the TIM Cup final.”