Francisco Conceição, Juventus’ attacking winger, addressed the media in a press conference on the eve of the crucial match against Benfica. The game, scheduled for tomorrow at the Allianz Stadium, marks the eighth and final matchday of the Champions League League Phase.
Conceição began by acknowledging the challenge ahead, stating, “Without talking much about tomorrow’s game, we’ll face a team that likes to keep the ball. We want to focus on what we can do, on what we’ve worked on. We know Benfica’s strength, but we want to give a strong response.”
Addressing the team’s morale after recent setbacks, the Portuguese player emphasized, “Obviously, we never like to lose, especially at Juve, but we want to respond strongly, continuing to do what the staff and the coach ask of us, to get back up, and obtain three important points in the Cup.”
Conceição highlighted the team’s ongoing development process: “Yes, obviously when we don’t win it’s always difficult, but we know we’re in a process, we have a young team, we train every day with this objective and we know we need to raise the level, we know that. But anyway, we’re convinced that the victories will come naturally.”
The winger also revealed his role in potentially bringing Gabri Veiga to Juventus: “Yes, when I found out he could come to Juve, I called Veiga, and I told him he would be coming to a great club, that it would help him in the growth process, and so I tried to convince him, I know his qualities. So also as his friend, that’s what I tried to do.”
When asked about the possibility of scoring against his former club, Conceição replied, “Yes, I’ve never scored a goal against Benfica, so I hope to change things tomorrow and have this opportunity, tomorrow the team’s victory counts. If you tell me now that I don’t score and we win, I’ll sign right away. Because the 3 points are the most important thing.”
Regarding the team’s current challenging period, he stated, “Yes, there are speculations about the moment, but for me they don’t count. We know we’re improving every day, we’re raising the level, I believe these victories will start to come. It’s normal.”
Conceição also discussed his role within Thiago Motta’s tactical setup: “I try to use my qualities using my qualities. Which are specific: I try to play my game anyway respecting the coach’s requests. I try to improve every day, I try to improve every day. I want to make a difference and help the group.”
Comparing Italian football to the Portuguese league, he noted, “Italian football more competitive than Portuguese, no doubt. Every team has its qualities, its strengths, I work to improve every day and I feel I can do more. I focus on this. Even when it’s said that I played well, I try to score more goals and make more assists, the purpose is to help the team, make it win, I work every day to improve and I feel it’s the right team.”
On his future at Juventus, Conceição remained noncommittal: “I don’t know what it holds for me, I can give my best, help the club 100%. I’m happy here, I’ve settled in well. About the future I don’t know, I leave space to those who have to deal with it. I focus on my best, I continue like this.”
Finally, when asked about Ángel Di María as a role model, Conceição concluded, “He’s not just a model for me, we all know the qualities he has. I always try to steal something from the best players.”
