Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny expressed his frustration at their 1-0 loss to Lazio: “Each of us must give more.” The Bianconeri have mustered just one win in their last nine games, putting their Champions League qualification at risk following a 1-0 loss to Lazio this evening. Speaking after the game, Szczęsny talked about the Bianconeri’s poor run of form, and explained why Juve players have to believe in the Scudetto:
The fans asked you to get as close as possible to their section. It’s a scene we haven’t seen since Monza last year. It says a lot about your situation.
“It’s a moment that makes you understand that each of us now has to do more, has to give more for Juventus. It’s a very negative moment; we are aware that in the last two months, we haven’t done enough to bring home points, positive results. So, it’s a tough time, it hurts all of us, and each of us must be aware of the goals we still have ahead and we must do everything to achieve them.”
How can you justify nine games like this? Have you stopped giving what you gave before?
“This is a question that each of us must ask ourselves; I cannot say anything to these guys as a group because it’s a group of guys who want to do well, who are training very well, who are hungry, but at this moment, the results are not coming. So there is something that each of us must do more, it can be something different for each one. At the group level, the spirit is not lacking, the desire to do well is not lacking, so it’s a question that each of us must ask ourselves.”
Would winning the Coppa Italia make the season satisfying?
“Now, yes, two months ago I would have said no. The Coppa Italia remains the only trophy we can bring home; we know how important it is for everyone. Even the Champions League is an important goal for everyone. In terms of energy, the group was charged for 6 or 7 months because we had the dream of the Scudetto; we did well in the first part of the season, then when this dream slipped away, we lost something. But this cannot be an excuse because winning one game in 9 is not something Juventus does.”
Did you believe too much in the Scudetto?
“We are Juventus; if you don’t believe in the Scudetto, you can’t play for Juve. Everyone must learn to handle this pressure, which is the most beautiful thing we have in football. If we can’t handle it, we have to go play indoor football, not at Juventus.”
