Koopmeiners: Juventus ‘gained confidence’ after Milan win | OneFootball

Teun Koopmeiners believes that Juventus have ‘gained confidence’ ahead of their Champions League match against Club Brugge thanks to their 2-0 victory over Milan in Serie A over the weekend, and has outlined his desire to become a leader for the Bianconeri.

The Juventus midfielder sat down alongside Thiago Motta on Monday for the pre-match press conferences ahead of the team’s test away against Brugge in the league phase of the Champions League on Tuesday night.

While Juventus’s confidence is at a high following their revenge on Milan on Saturday, Koopmeiners believes he and his teammates still have plenty of room for improvement.

He also explained why it has taken Juventus so long to get going in 2024-25, pointing to the major overhaul during the summer transfer window.

Koopmeiners: Juventus ‘gained confidence after Milan’

“I think the last game went well. We can always do better, but generally we are happy. We want to do better in terms of results, and after Milan we have gained confidence for tomorrow. It will be a great night.

“We had a lot of injuries in the first half of the league. We were also a team with 10 new players. Every game we have to learn. After the last few months, we’re learning every day and I’m also learning how to play with Locatelli, Douglas, Thuram, Weston and Fagioli.”

epa11834484 Juventus’ Teun Koopmeiners and Milan’s Matteo Gabbia in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Juventus FC and AC Milan, in Turin, Italy, 18 January 2025. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO

Koopmeiners is yet to score in Europe for Juventus after five appearances in the Champions League this term.

Asked if he misses the feeling of hitting the net on the European stage, he replied: “I scored twice in Lille, but they were offside. I want to do well for the team with goals, assists and defending. The team is the only thing that matters in my eyes, though.”

Does he feel 100% fit ahead of the Club Brugge match?

“Giving the percentage is always difficult. I want to do better and help the team every day,” Koopmeiners replied.

The Dutchman was then asked if he expected it to be so difficult to settle in and find form after his big-money move to Juventus from Atalanta over the summer.

He responded: “It’s another situation where everything is new, with new players. I have to grow, but I have done good things and I can do even better. I watch the videos of the games and talk to the coach and staff so I can do better.

Teun Koopmeiners of Juventus after the Serie A match between Lecce and Juventus at Stadio Via del Mare on December 01, 2024 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

“We always watch videos to prepare. We’ve looked at Brugge and their individual players. They always play to win, it will be a difficult game, but we want to play with the ball and win.

“They are one point off first place and fighting for the title. They are a great team that plays well, with a lot of energy. It will be difficult and we have to put in a lot of energy on our side.”

Koopmeiners then expressed his desire to wear the captain’s armband for Juventus again.

“I’m one of the most experienced players. Maybe because I’m one of the oldest. I’ve played a lot of games and it’s important for me to talk to the younger guys. I always want to do it, it’s important for all players.”