By Daily sports on January 10, 2021
Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo insists the defending Serie A champions shouldn’t be considered favourites to retain the league title they have clinched for the last nine years, despite ending AC Milan’s unbeaten run.
Pirlo’s side put in an impressive performance on Wednesday to win 3-1 at the San Siro and halt table-topping Milan’s 27-match streak without defeat in the league.
But the 41-year-old underlined that beating Sassuolo in their next game on Sunday is every bit as important as his side’s victory over Milan.
"Whoever is top is always the team to beat, at the moment that’s Milan," Pirlo told a media conference.
"We know that we are a team that has won the title for the last nine years and there is pressure to do it again, but I consider the team that is top to be the team to beat.
"It was a great and important victory but if we don’t win tomorrow, it will have been for nothing."
"Every result must be equal for us," he added. "Three points against Sassuolo is the same as against Milan or Barcelona.
"Our desire to get results needs to be the same every Sunday. We need to put together a run of wins and then see where we find ourselves in April."
Sassuolo are enjoying a superb season and travel to Turin one point behind Juventus as they chase a surprise European spot.
Pirlo's preparation for the game was complicated by three of his defenders – Matthijs De Ligt, Alex Sandro and Juan Cuadrado – testing positive for Covid-19 in the space of five days.
"It influences me like all the other coaches," said the coach.
"Every day it can happen and we must go forward, football must go forward, unfortunately this is a part of life for everyone. We’re thinking about our work.” (AFP)
•PHOTO: Andrea Pirlo
Source Daily sports
Posted January 10, 2021
You may also like...
Tuchel Says Pulisic Doubtful For Chelsea, Villa Clash...
Late Goal Gives Brazil Controversial Win Over Colombia...
"It's been difficult, mentally more than anything. I...
Arrows assess Nigerian star Omeke
Nigeria vs Mozambique: Osimhen's attitude stinks as Iwobi...
Mixed fortunes for Africa’s World Cup-bound teams

Chukwueze among offensive duel leaders in EPL
U-13 JOF Kids Cup: Quarter-Final Fireworks Set for Easter Sunday
Title talk grows after Itauma’s record-breaking KO
Winners emerge at Ebaretonbofa golf tourney
Chukwu greatest player to wear Eagles jersey – Ikpeba
Nnadozie continues WSL form as Brighton defeat Leicester
Premier League fans back call to scrap VAR
Aruna faces tough draw in ITTF World Cup
Nigeria chase more World Relays tickets in Botswana trials
Itauma vows to change boxing after crushing Franklin
Maiden Eagles call-up shocks Sor
Iwobi gets EPL Player of The Month nomination
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,670 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,994 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,910 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,517 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,442 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,345 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,209 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,750 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,943 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,451 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,853 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,326 views)