JUVENTUS, Quagliarella: "Chasing a magnificent target"

© foto di Daniele Buffa/Image Sport

Fabio Quagliarella has paid tribute to Antonio Conte’s influence in helping him return to the goal trail. The 29-year-old, who missed the second half of last season with a serious knee injury, has struck two goals in as many games, hitting top form just in time for the final push. It’s a return that nobody would begrudge the frontman following his long road to recovery.

Speaking to Mediaset Premium, Fabio said: “Conte got to know me when I wasn’t in my best form, coming back from injury. He always said he would wait for me. I’ve gone through tough moments, I’m not denying that, but the manager has helped me a lot. Of course, a striker would always like to play, but there aren’t any fixed choices up front, we’re rotated depending on the opposition.”

A system that works, given that the Bianconeri have reclaimed pole position and blown the Scudetto race wide open: “Perhaps nobody would have expected it this summer, even though in our hearts we hoped to get to this point and give it a go. We’re having an extraordinary championship season, without forgetting the Coppa Italia... Now we need to keep going.”

The striker appreciates the testing run-in that lies ahead, especially in light of the determination displayed by opposition sides when facing the Bianconeri: “Lazio and Roma are the toughest teams to play, but the other teams have great motivation when playing against us, because all of them want to end our unbeaten record. However, we’ve also got motivation because we’re pursuing a magnificent target.”