Matri eyes off Europe

Juventus striker Alessandro Matri says it will be important to maintain winning form in order to book a European spot for next season.

The Italian giants sit one spot outside the qualification spots in seventh on the Serie A table, two points behind Roma, who are currently in one of the two Europa League positions.

But Matri, who scored in the 3-2 win against Genoa on Sunday, said Juventus needed to build on their run of three consecutive wins.

“In the second half we showed a great will to win and determination which we’ll have to maintain until the end of the season,” Matri said.

With six games remaining, Juventus are six points adrift of the fourth-placed Lazio, who hold the UEFA Champions League qualifying spot at the moment.

The on-loan striker has now scored seven goals since arriving from Cagliari in January and was pleased he had already begun settling at the Turin-based club.

“Thanks to my team-mates and the fans, who have welcomed me in a wonderful way,” Matri said.

“Here there are many more pressures as compared to those at Cagliari, but thanks to the group I?ve been able to fit in just fine.”

Tue 12 April, 2011

Matri eyes off Europe

Juventus striker Alessandro Matri says it will be important to maintain winning form in order to book a European spot for next season.

The Italian giants sit one spot outside the qualification spots in seventh on the Serie A table, two points behind Roma, who are currently in one of the two Europa League positions.

But Matri, who scored in the 3-2 win against Genoa on Sunday, said Juventus needed to build on their run of three consecutive wins.

“In the second half we showed a great will to win and determination which we’ll have to maintain until the end of the season,” Matri said.

With six games remaining, Juventus are six points adrift of the fourth-placed Lazio, who hold the UEFA Champions League qualifying spot at the moment.

The on-loan striker has now scored seven goals since arriving from Cagliari in January and was pleased he had already begun settling at the Turin-based club.

“Thanks to my team-mates and the fans, who have welcomed me in a wonderful way,” Matri said.

“Here there are many more pressures as compared to those at Cagliari, but thanks to the group I?ve been able to fit in just fine.”

Tue 12 April, 2011

Dream comes true for Matri

Juventus striker Alessandro Matri said it was a ‘dream’ to score the winning goal in his side’s 1-0 victory over Inter Milan on Sunday.

The 26-year-old struck for the third time since signing with Juve in January and put a serious dent in Inter’s hopes of retaining the Serie A title.

Juventus themselves are 11 points adrift of league-leaders AC Milan, but Matri said he would do everything possible to help his new club continue their title push.

“It’s one of the most important goals of my career,” Matri said. “The match against Inter was one of those beautiful ones that I used to watch at home and dream about playing in.”

“I dedicate it to my family who have always supported me. I didn’t expect to start my Juventus career this way, but I certainly hoped for it because I always believed in my abilities and the understanding I have with Luca Toni is working.”

“You need to work double for a big club and I will do that every day.”

Juventus manager Luigi Delneri thought his team’s 1-0 win against Inter in Serie A was well deserved, refuting suggestions from Inter boss Leonardo that a draw would have been a fairer result.

“We should always be honest and direct in football and I’m always direct and honest and I have to say that Juventus really deserved to win today and we could have scored more goals,” Delneri said.

“My team didn’t give Inter many opportunities. I don’t know how Leonardo could have said that we could have drawn.”

“Of course there it could have been a draw since their team is made up of many skilled players.”

Delneri was also pleased with new signing Andrea Barzagli from Wolfsburg, saying the midfielder gives Juventus greater balance in the centre of the park.

“(Andrea) Barzagli has the skills to play as centre. I think he has improved a great deal thanks to the experience he got in Germany. Now he is working very well and I’m happy for him,” Delneri said.

“Thanks to his presence, we have managed to move (Giorgio) Chiellini on the left, where we have had difficulties in the past and Giorgio is able to adapt very well in this role as if he has always played in that role.”

Mon 14 February, 2011