It’s another mini cycle, another mini campaign.
This shows us that we have a long way to go.
It also means we’re going to be tested, constantly,
following on from what happens tomorrow.
Getting a result would, without doubt,
increase our self-confidence and conviction.
We’re going to play as many games in the next 50 days
as we’ve had to deal with, from all points of view, in three months.
In a month and a half, we’ll have to do what we’ve done in four.
However, we shouldn’t be surprised and should take each game as it comes,
without trying to make medium-term plans.
For myself and the team, it’s of no interest.
Our game is the one tomorrow.
We’ve not moved away from what we usually do.
We prepare on the field, in a sense studying the game.
Then in terms of our level of motivation and the importance of the contest,
what goes into the game - that really prepares itself.
The players need to organise their thoughts.
Those that need to recover need to do so.
I’m referring to those that were away on international duty.
Those aspects of motivation and focus in the match – those come naturally.
One of my aims is making sure the team doesn’t waste nervous energy.
Because that has an impact on performance.
The team shouldn’t play having burnt their mental energy.
It’s just an additional waste. It’s useless.
The team needs to come into the game with calm.
They also need to think about enjoying themselves.
Because, ultimately, football should be about enjoyment.
If it becomes a burden, creating excess tension,
outweighing the sense of play and enjoyment – that’s not good.
You don’t perform as well.
We need to make a mental effort, generally speaking.
A match needs to be enjoyed. You need to have fun and enjoy it.
The team looked good to me this week. They all trained very well.
I have some question marks – because of how many of them are in good shape.
Ultimately, I have to pick an eleven.
It’s always easy to look back at mistakes with hindsight.
Looking at it ahead of the game, they all deserve to play.
Because the squad looks good to me.
The doubts I have are about setting the team up in the most functional way,
in the face of our opponents.
In terms of quality, what can I really say? Tell you stories?
It’s not a match-up, but that’s an abstract concept.
Sampdoria will play their game.
I’ve never picked up a point against Juventus,
But sooner or later that will happen.
It will – by the law of averages.
What’s important is that Samp play as Samp.
We know about Juventus, and how capable they are.
Samp need to perform in a way that gives our fans belief.
Let’s put it this way – we’re playing Juventus tomorrow,
who knows what will happen? Some will already be putting it down as a win!
Believing now that we can play our game against them is a feat in itself, I think.
We could be going into the game saying: “It’s impossible - let’s try and limit the damage.”
But we’re not in that kind of situation.
We have the physical, technical and mental capability
to see how we stack up against, probably, the strongest team around.
And we can openly have hope of doing that,
with pride and while doing our best.
Then what will be will be
