Motta & Koopmeiners: PSV clash our most important game so far | OneFootball

Juve have touched down in Eindhoven where tomorrow, 19 February, they will take on an important challenge against PSV with the aim of progressing to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.

Here is what Teun Koopmeiners and Thiago Motta had to say in today’s pre-match press conference.

TEUN KOOPMEINERS

“The team spirit is good, we have prepared well for the match, the morale is especially positive after the result against Inter, the team feels good, we know it will be a difficult challenge, but we want to win. We have to be aware that against PSV it's a new challenge, in a new context, it's not a foregone conclusion that we will win, we will have to be very aggressive and play with intensity and energy, the match will require this and the team knows it. They will play in a different style, the result is decided over the course of two games, it will be difficult in their stadium and their fans will also make a difference. We start with a 2-1 lead, but we must not sit back, we want to play to win. If we only think about managing the result, we risk not expressing ourselves at our best, we have to bring energy, pressure and urgency in possession, when we play like this we do better.

“I was disappointed that the goal against Lille was disallowed, I always want to help the team with assists and goals. I have always said I am a team player, winning is the most important thing for me. Scoring is an aim of mine, but also providing assists for strikers is key, the important thing is the final result. I want to contribute even more in terms of goals and assists, I arrived with this mentality, I want to give my all to help the team in any way I can.

“As for being on the bench, I'm always very calm, even mentally. I am a player who always thinks about the good of the team, we have many strong players and we can all contribute. Even when I start from the bench, I know what I can do to help win the game, and that's all I focus on. I'm happy with the win and the good result, tomorrow I want to contribute in the same way.

“After the game against Inter we said that, for morale, it was an important victory. At half-time we talked about how to improve in possession and provide more options for one another in the game, and it showed immediately: in the first ten seconds we created a clear chance. It was a clear change between the two halves and when we manage to do that, it gives us motivation to keep pushing, even defensively, because you feel more involved and part of the game.”

THIAGO MOTTA

“This is the most important match of our season so far. We want to continue our journey, we have to put in a complete performance and raise our level to the maximum in all aspects of the game, both physically and mentally, in order to progress to the Round of 16. Douglas [Luiz]? We hope he'll be back as soon as possible. [Andrea] Cambiaso is with us, he trained separately yesterday as a precaution but he's fine like everyone else, all available to start the match. Preparing for a match like this is not difficult, we know the importance of the challenge and we come into the game off the back of a victory that gives us confidence. We must do everything well, paying close attention to every decision and using our heads to interpret the momentum of the game, we must be compact when they push forward and find ways to be better than our opponent. We are facing a great team, as we did with PSG, Liverpool, Shakhtar, we will give our best to earn our place in the Round of 16.

“The objective is clear, it is an important opportunity, the most important so far, we know that a draw is enough, but we have always played to win and tomorrow we will do the same. Managing the game will be important in the closing stages, but the attitude will be the same as always: going onto the pitch to win, with focus and determination, working hard in and out of possession. There are no secrets, we must earn it. Qualifying is not a foregone conclusion, but we have never failed in our commitment, attitude and desire. I'm sure it will be like that until the last day. We put in an excellent performance against Inter, especially in the second half, tomorrow we expect to face a strong opponent, who are playing at home, in the first 95 minutes we were superior, and we earned the result, tomorrow we must do the same, managing every moment of the match.

“The team's personality can be seen, we have earnt our place. We are young, we have enthusiasm, energy and quality, whoever takes the field, from the start or off the bench, will have to give their all for the good of the team and to reach the Round of 16. We will have to play our style of football, we must press high out of possession because they have quality and commit many players when attacking. When we need to regroup, we will have to do it with great communication and without dropping too deep. We know their potential threat and when we have the ball we have to commit numbers forward to create goal scoring chances. We will need a complete performance.

“Pressure is part of our job, when you choose to be a coach or a footballer you know there are responsibilities. For me it is just extra motivation, I chose to be here and I am happy with what we are doing. I am very positive, tomorrow we have a very important game ahead of us and deserve to be here, we must continue our journey, raise our level again and give something more. It's a beautiful moment, to be approached with responsibility.

“Tomorrow can be everyone's game. [Samuel] Mbangula? He made some technical mistakes and was not satisfied, but this is positive because it shows ambition, a desire to improve and do well. He's in good form and hopefully he can make his contribution, either from the start or from the bench. [Lloyd] Kelly and the other new players have settled in very well, everyone is fit and in ideal condition to play. Alberto [Costa] won't be there because he's not registered in the squad, but I have total confidence that those who start and those who come off the bench to put in a great performance. The objective is the Round of 16, but we have to earn it, doing the right things individually and collectively to progress.”