Speaking to Sky Italia (as quoted by JuventusNews24) before Juventus’ Champions League clash against Real Madrid, Alessandro Del Piero shared his thoughts on the team’s mentality, the importance of inner motivation, and the growing responsibility placed on Kenan Yildiz.
Del Piero highlighted the need for a stronger competitive attitude across the club, not just among the players.
“You have to put everything on the pitch,” he said. “You don’t need to fire up the team too much because these are matches that prepare themselves. Sometimes this fire in the heart is missing. You must have the desire to do something extra — I’m speaking generally, not only about the players. The situation we’re living now reminds me of last season, and what worries me is this sense of repetition. Even at Como, the attitude should have been different. I’d like to expand the tactical and physical perspective to include this hunger and fire that you need every time you step onto the field. Juventus needs players, and everyone at the club, to think this way.”
Turning to the quality required to compete against Real Madrid, Del Piero stressed the high bar the Bianconeri must meet.
“In this stadium, with the champions Real have, sometimes ten or fifteen minutes are enough,” he explained. “Juve must be sharp and play at their best to get a good result tonight. They need the awareness to say: we’re here, and from tonight on we can beat anyone. These are the kinds of matches that have often allowed the club to restart — even if now, unfortunately, I see it from the other side.”
Finally, asked about Kenan Yildiz wearing the No.10 shirt and the captain’s armband, Del Piero expressed both pride and advice.
“I would tell him that he’s earned it and to play with confidence because he has a sense of responsibility,” he said. “But he also needs to have his shoulders freed a bit — he needs the freedom to express himself.”
