Thiago Motta extols the spirit of sacrifice of two elements in particular

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Archived Juventus’ rounded victory against Cagliari, a 4-0 victory useful to qualify the Bianconeri for the quarterfinals of the Coppa Italia, Thiago Motta commented positively on his team’s performance, extolling in particular the spirit of sacrifice of Manuel Locatelli and Weston McKennie, deployed respectively as central defender and left-back. The availability of the two players is one more reason for the Bianconeri coach to smile.

“I ask availabilityà from my guys and they give it to me,” Motta commented in the press conference.

If one of my players is not convinced, I certainly don’t put him in trouble.

I asked Manu and Weston if they were willing to play in the roles in which you saw them tonight and they gave me maximum availability. The result è was definitely positive”.

The HCL coach also had good words for Teun Koopmeiners and Dusan Vlahovic: “Koopmeiners is good everywhere, today he played in the midfield but he can also adapt at the back. His attitude è very good. Dusan, in turn, had another excellent game: he is always working hard, both in his role and participating in the defensive phase”.

The Juventus coach was also satisfied with the goal scored by Nico Gonzalez, who returned to the field for a few minutes against Venezia and starred tonight with a goal and an assist in 25′ of employment: “We needed his energy and qualities; now we also wait for the others who must return from injuries”.

Italy Cup, Juventus-Cagliari 4-0

Cagliari’s hopes of overturning the eve’s predictions and overcoming Juventus in the round of 16 of the Coppa Italia lasted little less than a game time: at the Allianz Stadium, the Bianconeri passed at the twilight of the first fraction, and then ramped up in the second half and finished with a 4-0 victory that left little room for interpretation.

Except for an opportunity in the opening bars for the guests, with Lapadula wasting in front of Di Gregorio, è Juventus played the game, althoughé until the last minutes of the first half they were unable to overcome the resistance of the opponent defense and the Rossoblù goalkeeper, Simone Scuffet. The match changes forò at 44′: left-footed shot by Vlahovic, the ball kisses the post and enters the net: 1-0, will beà the result at the end of the first half.

In the second half, 8′ pass and the doubling arrives: è spectacular free kick kicked by Teun Koopmeiners, which passes the opponent goalkeeper and gives another joy to the home fans. The match then went downhill and in the final two more goals arrived: at the 80’80’ Francisco Conceiçao beat Scuffet just before leaving his place to Weah, at the 89’89; è Nico Gonzalez signed the poker, overcoming the Cagliari extreme defender with a delightful lob.

The first quarterfinal pairing is thus formed, with Juventus facing Empoli. Still waiting to know their opponent are Bologna (who will play against Atalanta or Cesena), Milan (for the Rossoneri, Roma or Sampdoria) and Lazio (who await the winner of the challenge between Inter and Udinese).

Greek trip for Virtus Bologna

Reduced by the unexpected home defeat against trieste in the championship, which came after the successes in A against Olimpia Milano and in the Euroleague against Baskonia, Virtus Bologna is re-entering the prestigious European competition looking Wednesday night for a not easy rematch against the current fifth force of the continental season, Olympiacos, at the latter’s home.

Coach Dusko Ivanovic reserved a few but clear words, referring to his team, when introducing the game: “Olympiacos è a very strong team, especially when playing at home, experienced and with great players – he said -. Right now we have to find our character and energy to try to win every game”.

If Ivanovic is calling for character, Will Clyburn is aiming not to give the home fans too much to charge their favorite team: “We face Olympiacos, they will be aggressive from the start,” explained the former Anadolu Efes. “They are coming from a defeat in the Euroleague, so I expect a very hot environment”.

“We will have to play a good game, controlling their pace and trying not to turn on their fans. We will have to play our basketball” added Clyburn, one of the veterans of the Euroleague from the height of his 34 years on May 17, thus accustomed to challenges of this magnitude thanks to his experiences with Efes and CSKA Moscow.