Juventus' Andrea Barzagli admits being 'nervous' about facing Milan in the Coppa Italia, and regrets Mario Balotelli's wasted talent.
The Bianconeri face the Diavolo in tomorrow's final at 19:45 UK time. While the team from Turin are in much better form, the 35-year-old is worried about playing an opponent who has nothing to lose.
Juventus' Andrea Barzagli admits being 'nervous' about facing Milan in the Coppa Italia, and regrets Mario Balotelli's wasted talent.
The Bianconeri face the Diavolo in tomorrow's final at 19:45 UK time. While the team from Turin are in much better form, the 35-year-old is worried about playing an opponent who has nothing to lose.
“I'm nervous about this match, about Milan's great pride and playing them in a direct game,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “We'll have to be careful with their counters, and with [Carlos] Bacca, who may not seem very involved in the game but is actually a hawk.
“Much will come down to us. I don't know whether we'd lost concentration, maybe we'd allowed ourselves to relax for a week.
“We trained well in the last 15 days. We're ready, and tomorrow is going to be a dangerous game. To think that Fiorentina's fans will be on our side! Or maybe just a little bit, not too passionately.”
Barzagli was then asked about Balotelli's season at Milan.
“It's everyone's loss: Milan's, the player's, the national team's. Maybe Mario is thinking of all the trains that passed him by, and perhaps he has a few regrets.”
Finally, Barzagli discussed the Champions League final to be played between the two Madrid teams.
“Considering what Atletico Madrid did, taking out Barcelona and Bayern Munich, they deserve the cup more than Real do.
“We have to get used to the cup and adapt ourselves to a European mentality. We hope the confidence we picked up in the championship will help us do that.”