Costa: Sarri 'perfect' for me

By Football Italia staff

Juventus winger Douglas Costa believes Maurizio Sarri is the ‘perfect’ Coach to get the best out of him.

Injuries and a loss of form saw Costa take a step back last season, but the Bianconeri have since replaced Max Allegri with the more attack-minded Sarri.

“I really want to prove my worth because I suffered too many injuries last season,” the Brazilian told Tutto Juve.

“I’m sure it’ll be a different season for me. I’m much more scrupulous now, even off the field.

“I’m having a lot of physiotherapy because I want to always be at 100 percent. I think there are all the necessary conditions for Juve and I to succeed together.

“I’m a very attacking player and Sarri’s game is perfect for me. His approach is an extra stimulus for all us attackers, Ronaldo, Higuain, Dybala: being able to stay close to goal helps us do better.

“Cristiano and I are friends, my objective is to be closer to him so I can supply as many balls to him as possible, not only him but also Higuain and all the others. We can achieve whatever we want together.”

Juve could lose as many as six first-teamers before the end of August, and the 28-year-old had his say on the situation.

“We’re all excellent players, who can play in any team. Juve have great directors who will do the best for the club.

“Paratici and Nedved will decide who is and isn’t staying and if we can all stay. In any case, we’re all very close to each other and whoever deserves to play will always do so.”

Sarri’s style of play is nothing new to Costa, who previously worked under Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich.

“Sarri insists on intensity and very high pressing. He has a different style to Allegri, who set us up deeper.

“The face of Juve is changing, and we’re doing everything that’s being asked of us. I played in Guardiola’s Bayern, who were very attacking.

“Then I had Allegri, who was more defensive, and now I’m discovering Sarri. Everything I learned from Allegri now has to be readjusted to Sarri’s football.

“Sarri and Guardiola are similar: they insist on high pressure and keeping the defensive line very high.

“Guardiola likes very quick touches of the ball and so does Sarri, even if the new Coach takes more care of the defensive phase.

“They’re different Coaches who propose a similar idea of football.”

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