Simone Padoin believes the Bianconeri’s upcoming encounter with Napoli will see the two most genuine title contenders square up at Juventus Stadium.
Speaking on Juventus Channel’s ‘Filo Diretto’, Padoin identified the Partenopei as the greatest threat to the club’s defence of last season’s Scudetto crown. Yet the midfielder remains confident that Antonio Conte’s men have what it takes to come out on top in the vital midfield battle.
Before considering the top of the table clash, the 27-year-old began by casting his mind back to his first whirlwind six months at the club following a January move from Atalanta.
Padoin said: “It was a dream to come here and I immediately settled into this environment. The best moment from the first few months at the club was the final day of the championship campaign. We played against my former team-mates at Atalanta. It was Del Piero’s last game, we lifted the trophy at our stadium, partied with the fans on the streets of Turin and then celebrated with our families afterwards.”
Juventus have begun the current campaign with the same type of swagger and resilience that characterised their performances from last season. And Simone believes this renewed vigour is down to the intelligent reinforcements brought in by the club during the summer transfer window.
“We’ve burst out the traps in the championship, six victories and a draw are no mean feat, and now we must keep this going. We’ll find out in May if this year’s Juve is stronger than last season’s crop.
“The club has certainly made some great purchases and the directors must be congratulated on this. They’ve recruited interesting young players who already possess great experience, such as Isla and Asamoah. Or players like Pogba, a youngster who surprises everyone by how strong he is as a player.”
The international break falls just ahead of Juventus’ greatest domestic test of the season so far: the visit of second-placed Napoli on Saturday 20 October. But Padoin is adamant the Bianconeri will be ready to take on Mazzarri’s men in spite of a lack of time on the training ground.
“We’ll be prepared for this game, despite all those away on international duty. I believe we’ll see the clash of the two teams with the greatest chance of winning the Scudetto.
“I agree with Chiellini’s words, it’s an important game but it’s still not fundamental, it will only be the eighth championship fixture of the campaign.
“I think the game can be won in midfield, whoever has the better in their individual duels could prove decisive. In Beijing we were exemplary in this department and deserved to win before the game went to extra-time.”
Padoin has fond memories from China after coming off his bench to add some much needed fresh legs for the extra half an hour. And the versatile midfielder is currently working hard to play a part in Saturday’s fixture following a recent spell on the sidelines.
“I’m good and have been back following the squad’s normal programme for a while now. I had a strain and preferred a cautious recovery approach, but I was raring to get back in action and give my best during the week, in training and on the pitch.”
Source: Juventus.com
Speaking on Juventus Channel’s ‘Filo Diretto’, Padoin identified the Partenopei as the greatest threat to the club’s defence of last season’s Scudetto crown. Yet the midfielder remains confident that Antonio Conte’s men have what it takes to come out on top in the vital midfield battle.
Before considering the top of the table clash, the 27-year-old began by casting his mind back to his first whirlwind six months at the club following a January move from Atalanta.
Padoin said: “It was a dream to come here and I immediately settled into this environment. The best moment from the first few months at the club was the final day of the championship campaign. We played against my former team-mates at Atalanta. It was Del Piero’s last game, we lifted the trophy at our stadium, partied with the fans on the streets of Turin and then celebrated with our families afterwards.”
Juventus have begun the current campaign with the same type of swagger and resilience that characterised their performances from last season. And Simone believes this renewed vigour is down to the intelligent reinforcements brought in by the club during the summer transfer window.
“We’ve burst out the traps in the championship, six victories and a draw are no mean feat, and now we must keep this going. We’ll find out in May if this year’s Juve is stronger than last season’s crop.
“The club has certainly made some great purchases and the directors must be congratulated on this. They’ve recruited interesting young players who already possess great experience, such as Isla and Asamoah. Or players like Pogba, a youngster who surprises everyone by how strong he is as a player.”
The international break falls just ahead of Juventus’ greatest domestic test of the season so far: the visit of second-placed Napoli on Saturday 20 October. But Padoin is adamant the Bianconeri will be ready to take on Mazzarri’s men in spite of a lack of time on the training ground.
“We’ll be prepared for this game, despite all those away on international duty. I believe we’ll see the clash of the two teams with the greatest chance of winning the Scudetto.
“I agree with Chiellini’s words, it’s an important game but it’s still not fundamental, it will only be the eighth championship fixture of the campaign.
“I think the game can be won in midfield, whoever has the better in their individual duels could prove decisive. In Beijing we were exemplary in this department and deserved to win before the game went to extra-time.”
Padoin has fond memories from China after coming off his bench to add some much needed fresh legs for the extra half an hour. And the versatile midfielder is currently working hard to play a part in Saturday’s fixture following a recent spell on the sidelines.
“I’m good and have been back following the squad’s normal programme for a while now. I had a strain and preferred a cautious recovery approach, but I was raring to get back in action and give my best during the week, in training and on the pitch.”
Source: Juventus.com
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