Roberto ‘Max’ Pereyra says that Juventus” data-scaytid=”2″>Juventus reacted well to both the new system and falling behind against Olympiacos on Tuesday night.
The Bianconeri were virtually eliminated from the Champions League after 61 minutes, with Olympiacos leading 2-1.
Roberto ‘Max’ Pereyra says that Juventus reacted well to both the new system and falling behind against Olympiacos on Tuesday night.
The Bianconeri were virtually eliminated from the Champions League after 61 minutes, with Olympiacos leading 2-1.
However, they then managed to revert the score to their favour and maintain a chance of progressing to the Last 16 of the competition.
“I think that the game against Olympiacos was tough, just like every other game you play in the Champions League,” Pereyra has reflected on the match to JTV today.
“Luckily the team responded well and we’ve won. I was watching the game from the bench and I was itching to play.
“Then I came on in the last 10 minutes and it was great especially because we wanted the three points and we have achieved them.
“Yes, Massimiliano Allegri knows when a player should come in, so I am happy to have come in at the right moment.
“Are we comfortable with the 4-4-2? I think we played well with it, we responded well, but then it’s up to the Coach to decide whether we should keep playing like that or revert to three in defence.
“Me, I don’t have preferences. It depends on the game really, but I always feel good in midfield, regardless of the system, be it 3-5-2 or 3-4-1-2.
“We have players in midfield with whom it feels easier to play. I don’t have problems and I feel comfortable either as a playmaker or as an attacking midfielder – whatever role in midfield, I feel good.”
A feeling the former Udinese player shares both on and off the pitch.
“I don’t talk a lot with the club, it’s not that I spend all the time with them.
“Obviously I feel good with my teammates because it’s a good group, we are humble and we are always working. I think that we normally go on to show this on the pitch.
“At first it was difficult to enter the dressing room of such a club like Juventus, but as soon as I came here, my teammates have made me feel good, they have welcomed me, and that was important for me.
“Normally I go and eat out with Alvaro Morata, Martin Caceres and Kwadwo Asamoah who is my room-mate.
“But everyone is good, there’s no-one in particular I’ve linked up more with.”
Pereyra made his debut in a Udinese shirt in a game against Juventus, replacing Mauricio Isla – exactly what happened in the summer in the transfer market with the Chilean heading to Queens Park Rangers instead.
“It seems like it was written in the stars, yes. I’d have never imagined to make my debut here.
“Then when Juve called, I was happy and proud, and I immediately called my father to tell him and he was happy too.
“I really hope to stay here for a couple of years more. This club is impressive and it feels good – that’s the best, for sure.
“The way people live the game here at Juventus is completely different. This club has always strived for important things. I am really happy to be here.
“Juve fans are a bit crazy, I mean they motivate you more. Since I came here, when you enter the pitch, you hear the people and you feel the will to enter, play and win, always.
“And this is wonderful because it feels like South America where there’s all those people motivating you.”
And ‘El Tucumano’, as he is named after the city he was born in, can only thrive in such an environment where the future seems to be really promising.
“I think that the game against Parma will be difficult, that’s for sure. But we have to keep playing like we are doing now.
“We are on the right track and we must keep playing like this if we want to remain at the top.”
Pereyra will then fly to England where Argentina will play two friendlies against Croatia and Portugal.
“I didn’t expect to be called up with Argentina, maybe I expected it later. But I am happy and proud about the news and I only have to keep doing well.
“I am also happy about Carlos Tevez because he was waiting for this moment to go there. You could see he was happy.”