Catania vs Juventus preview - Bonucci focusing on Serie A
Posted Saturday, March 22, 2014 by PA
Leonardo Bonucci thinks Juventus must quickly forget about their Europa League triumph over Fiorentina and instead concentrate on maintaining their huge lead at the top of Serie A.
Juve set up a Europa League quarter-final tie with Lyon after a memorable night in Florence on Thursday.
Andrea Pirlo scored a stunning free-kick as Juventus won 1-0 on the night, meaning they progressed 2-1 on aggregate.
Attention turns back to domestic matters on Sunday when Juve will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to 21 matches with victory over bottom side Catania.
Antonio Conte's side may be 14 points clear with 10 matches left, but Bonucci wants to secure the title as soon as possible.
"We are fully aware that we are a very good team and we came through a difficult tie against Fiorentina so now we can celebrate," the Juventus defender told UEFA.com.
"We cannot celebrate for long though, because we have an important game against Catania on Sunday.
"We will not ease off in Serie A until we have mathematically won the Scudetto."
Juve's lead could be cut to 11 points by the time they take on Catania as second-placed Roma play strugglers Chievo on Saturday.
Conte's team should have no trouble re-establishing their hefty lead though, particularly if they put on a repeat performance of Thursday's win in Florence - the scene of Juve's only league defeat this term.
Not for the first time this season, Juventus' players were left in awe of 34-year-old Pirlo, who bent his free-kick into the top-right hand corner with stunning precision.
Paul Pogba hopes one day he can be as good as his midfield partner.
"I've got a lot more work to do to strike them like that," the Frenchman said.
"He's got the golden touch - I need to train for a good few more years yet to hit those kind of free-kicks."
Pirlo also scored a free-kick in the reverse fixture against Catania earlier this season, which Juve won 4-0.
The Sicilians have had little to shout about this campaign. They have gathered just four wins, but it is worth noting that all of those victories have come at home.
Catania are just four points away from safety though, and they will be boosted by the news that Juve could be without injury doubts Claudio Marchisio and Sebastian Giovinco.
Davide Baiocco, who played for Juve and Catania, thinks the underdogs have the potential to cause an upset.
"The result is not a foregone conclusion," the 38-year-old told CalcioCatania.com.
"Juventus are very strong but Catania have nothing to lose, and when that's the case sometimes you produce a great performance.
"It can happen. Juventus had an important game on Thursday and they might be low on energy. Catania have to stay positive."
Defender Andrea Barzagli is also out for the league leaders through suspension.
Photos
More»
Meet Jude Bellingham's stunning girlfriend Laura
Thursday April 25 2024
[PICTURE SPECIAL] Man Utd 4 - 2 Sheffield United
Thursday April 25 2024
[PICTURE SPECIAL] Arsenal 5-0 Chelsea
Wednesday April 24 2024
Your Say