Maurizio Sarri Reveals Gonzalo Higuain Is the 'Only Person' He Fights With
By George Cannon
Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri has claimed the only person he ever fights with is striker Gonzalo Higuain.
The spectacled Italian boss has managed the prolific Argentine striker at three different clubs, overseeing some of the most productive periods of his career.
Higuain's 36 goals in Sarri's last season at Napoli is still a Serie A record, but it appears the pair have a peculiar relationship - something the former Chelsea manager alluded to in his latest press conference (via Football Italia).
“I always read that I fight with everyone, when actually the only person I fight with is Higuain." Sarri said. “I don’t know why that is, but it’s always been the case. Maybe it’s because he needs a rather aggressive counterpoint to bring out the best in him."
Juventus certainly haven't seen the best of Higuain so far this season. His nine goals in 37 appearances across all competitions means he's on track for his lowest goalscoring total since the 2007/08 season, and Sarri admitted that getting him to perform at his peak is a complex task.
“He needs pampering one day and beating against a wall the next! When he’s feeling down, he needs caring for," he continued. “When he’s on a high, he must be brought down a peg because he can get too carried away.”
While it seems the Europa League winning boss in enduring some trouble off the pitch, his side are having no such issues on it. A 4-1 victory over Torino last time out, coupled with losses for title rivals Inter and Lazio, has left the Old Lady seven points clear with eight games to go.
AC Milan - who are unbeaten since Italian football restarted - are up next, with Sarri that his side face a tricky assignment against a side who they recently scraped past in the Coppa Italia semi-final.
“Tomorrow’s a difficult game for us,” Sarri concluded. "Milan, who have already created problems for us this season, are in great physical and mental condition and are playing at high levels.
“At a time like this, the mental aspect is very delicate and mistakes are only around the corner. The lads know it’s going to be a tough month, so they can’t lose focus."