After joining Andrea Agnelli for the official inauguration of Juventus College in Vinovo, Giuseppe Marotta spoke to journalists gathered outside the club’s brand new educational centre.
The club CEO began by addressing the heavy fixture schedule that lies ahead for the Bianconeri. After resuming championship duties with Sunday’s trip to Genoa, Antonio Conte’s men will make their Champions League bow against Chelsea in midweek before entertaining Chievo the following Saturday.
But Marotta thinks the professional approach of the club’s backroom staff will enable the team to deal with the increased workload.
He began: “We haven’t set any particular targets for Europe. We just want to face every game with the same drive shown in the championship, Super Cup and Coppa Italia.
“One of the tasks that lies ahead for the coaching staff is assessing how to tackle our fixtures in the best possible way, through the prevention of injuries and workload that reflects the sheer number of games.
“We don’t possess a great deal of experience in this sense, but we can count on the preparation and professionalism of Conte and his backroom staff.”
Whilst anticipation is naturally increasing ahead of the Bianconeri’s return to Europe’s greatest stage, Marotta warned that last season’s title victory will make things even tougher on the domestic front this time around.
“We’re the defending champions and viewed by others as the team to beat. Every season is different, though, and the pitch will dictate who the best side is.
“We have the advantage of a year’s work with Conte and it will be down to him to get the same drive as last season out of the players.”
Following months of speculation and headlines concerning potential moves in the transfer market, Marotta concluded by confirming the club’s determination to bring in the right type of players that fit the Juventus blueprint.
He added: “There are often far-fetched headlines written about us and we get linked with moves that I can categorically deny. For example we’ve never spoken to Diakité. He is a Lazio player and will not be coming to Juventus.
“We’re continuing to monitor the most interesting players and we’ll decide whether to make any moves in January. Jovetic? We’ve looked at the profile of players who could be useful and he fits that bill, but he’s at Fiorentina and the Viola will decide his future. Bendtner? Conte’s first thoughts are very positive. He’s young and wants to do well.”
Source: Juventus.com
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