Juventus secured a weighty success in the Europa League, winning away at AZ Alkmaar and taking home three valuable points. The match was decided by goals from Koopmeiners and Kolo Muani, both scored in the first half, while Meerdink’s goal was not enough to save the Dutch side from defeat. There were some difficult moments in the second half, with tiredness and tension late on. Afterwards Gatti, one of the best players on the pitch, spoke to Sky Sport and analysed the display.
“Now We Straighten Out the League”
Gatti’s first reflex was to put the win in context. “Getting a win away from home is always difficult, especially in Europe. Now we have to put it aside and straighten out the league, because we cannot be in a position like this.”
It is a theme of the week. The win in the Netherlands follows the 2-0 over Napoli, but Juventus are still outside the top positions after a poor start, and the next match is Fiorentina away on Sunday, the last league game before the international break.
“The More I Play, the More I Get Into Condition”
Gatti was asked about his forward runs, which had taken him into the opposing area. “Yes, I have always had that in me. You have to be physically well, because at the back, when you are not 100% lucid, the mistake is around the corner. So I need to get into condition, and you only do that by playing. I need that and nothing else.”
On his defensive work and interceptions: “I got into the box on my last legs. I have to be the defender, and let the strikers have the goals. These actions come when you are fit, and I need to play.”
He also linked the match to the previous weekend. “Today it was important to win to give continuity to Sunday’s performance, and now we think about the last league match before the break.”
“We Don’t Always Use His Athletic Characteristics”: Gatti on Kolo Muani
The defender’s most interesting comments concerned the striker who scored the winner. “Kolo Muani is a very strong player. He has athletic characteristics that we sometimes do not use. On runs in behind he puts any defender in difficulty, and I too have problems in those situations. Sometimes we will need to use his qualities more.”
It is a pointed teammate’s view. Spalletti told Kolo Muani after Celta Vigo to stay in the half-space, and Tuttosport’s analysis of his struggles suggested a lack of reading and confidence. Gatti is saying the opposite problem may also exist, that the team does not play to his strengths, which are speed and runs beyond the defensive line. The goal in Alkmaar, scored in a week when his form had been heavily questioned, gives the comment extra weight.
