Massimo Brambilla, coach of Juventus Next Gen, shared his thoughts with the club`s official channels. He described the past week as positive, highlighting that the team worked well both physically and mentally. Brambilla emphasized the players are in excellent form and the team finished the season strongly, making them ready for this level of playoff match. He added that the team is aware of having had a good league campaign, showing constant improvement, maturity, and the ability to compete against every opponent they faced. They are arriving in optimal condition for this upcoming game.
Regarding the knockout playoff challenge, Brambilla believes their “lightheartedness” – the ability to play freely without excessive pressure – can be a key advantage compared to teams who feel more pressure to win. He described Benevento as a side that was at the top of the table for a considerable time before experiencing a drop, and now they are playing for everything. The coach stated that their approach must be aggressive from the start, characteristic of a team seeking victory. However, he also stressed that the match needs to be won over the full 90 minutes, not just in the first half, requiring them to play with balance, just as they have done throughout the season. He acknowledged it will be a tough game on a difficult pitch against a strong team, but reiterated that they are ready to compete.
Analyzing the opponent, Brambilla noted that Benevento consists of a mix of experienced players and valuable young talents. He sees them as a team that plays well, proposing offensive football with high-quality attackers for this league. He highlighted the need for strong defensive work to limit Benevento`s threats and the importance of trying to take control of the game because they are aiming for a win. He concluded by mentioning the atmosphere will likely be very heated, but views this as an extra stimulus for the Juventus Next Gen players, who can thrive in such environments.