Marchisio: “Determined to achieve our goals”

After spending approximately six months on the sidelines through injury, Claudio Marchisio is closing in on a return to action – a prospect that understandably fills the experienced midfielder with enthusiasm, as he seeks to play his part in another season of success with the Bianconeri.

Here follow Marchisio’s standout quotes from today’s event in Milan:

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

“I feel in good shape. I’ve been working hard all summer in order to recover in the best way possible and now this is the best part. I’ve rejoined my team-mates, resumed training with the ball and I can sense that the moment of my return is getting ever nearer.”

STRONG START THIS SEASON

“There’s no doubting the fact that we’ve started this season much better than the last. Even yesterday at Empoli we played a great game and on another day we might have been out of sight already at half-time. We have guys among our ranks capable of providing the killer blow in the space of a few minutes, just as happened yesterday. What’s more, our game management at Empoli was also very good. We didn’t take any risks at all.

“The team has been strengthened over the summer, but we will only know at the end of the season if this Juventus side is stronger than previous ones. We’ve got a number of tough matches coming up both in Serie A and the Champions League, but we must not take any of the other fixtures lightly, showing the same professional approach as yesterday.”

DETERMINATION AND SACRIFICE ESSENTIAL

“Our cohesiveness and willingness to play as a team are undoubtedly our greatest strengths. Nothing is to be taken for granted, even if we’ve started the season brightly. You only reach your goals with unwavering determination, by making sacrifices and helping out the group in any moment. We’re a complete side brimming with quality but we need to keep proving our worth on the pitch.

“People are saying that we’re beginning to run away with the Serie A title, but I repeat, you can only achieve your objectives through hard work. It’s crucial that everyone continues to demonstrate the same desire to do well that we are now.”