02 November 2021
Victory over Zenit St Petersburg secures a fourth consecutive victory in the UEFA Champions League Group Stage and qualification for the next round with two games to spare, thanks to two goals from Paulo Dybala and goals apiece from Federico Chiesa and Alvaro Morata. Below are the words of coach Massimiliano Allegri, Manuel Locatelli and Paulo Dybala following the match at the Allianz Stadium:
MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI
“This evening was a good performance on a technical level. It was important to give an answer after the matches against Sassuolo and Verona, but above all it was important to hit the first goal of the season, that is, to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League. The second goal conceded is certainly an aspect to improve on. We should have managed possession better, trying not to risk anything, but the performance was overall positive. We also held up well under the physical aspect and it is for this reason that I chose not to change the starting eleven until ten minutes from the end. On Saturday we will have a very important match against a technical team like Fiorentina and in view of this match I will consider whether or not to make some changes.”
MANUEL LOCATELLI
“In these matches, but above all in these moments, strong men are needed and today we proved it. We are a very united group and tonight's victory must be a new starting point. We played a good game and we need to gain confidence after this match, continuing to follow everything the coach asks of us. In the Champions League we managed to reach the round of 16 with two matches to go, but now we have to give a bigger push in the league to bring Juve back to the position it deserves.”
PAULO DYBALA
"The celebration was a tribute to Michel Platini, who is an idol for football and for Juve. We needed an evening like this. After the first half we went into the locker room knowing that we had to play more calmly in the second half. We were playing a good game, but we needed more patience and we had it. We played a great second half, managing to create many opportunities. In the attacking phase we did well, bringing many players up into the final third, but we could have even scored more goals. This is the right way.”
