Quagliarella: Pescara romp answered critics

Fabio Quagliarella believes that last week’s 3-1 loss to Inter Milan inspired his Juventus team-mates to beat Pescara 6-1 on Saturday.

Juve saw their 49-game unbeaten run come to an end against Inter, but have since responded in style, thrashing Nordsjaelland 4-0 in the Champions League before hammering unfortunate Pescara at the Stadio Adriatico, where Quagliarella netted a hat-trick.

“The important thing was to win, and we really, really won,” he told reporters after the match.

“We showed that is possible to have a setback against a great team like Inter and still be here.

“That defeat was just a stumble and, if anything, it made us stronger, as we are right back on track with the hunger we need.”

The former Napoli man went on to dedicate his treble to his mum, who is in hospital to have an operation.

“It’s the first hat-trick of my career, so I will treasure the match ball. I dedicate the goals to my mother, who is in hospital after undergoing surgery,” he said.

Arturo Vidal, Kwadwo Asamoah and Sebastian Giovinco got the other goals for Juve, who now sit four points clear of Inter in the race for the Scudetto.