The Juventus coach spoke before the match against Udinese about the opportunity to reduce the gap to -4 points from Inter.
Massimiliano Allegri, speaking in the press conference ahead of tomorrow’s home game against Udinese, emphasized the importance of securing three points to maintain the gap with Inter. He then addressed the issue of attackers, stating that Vlahovic won’t be available yet, and didn’t give definitive answers on whether Chiesa or Yildiz would start. He also mentioned it’s too early to see Alcaraz on the field.
ALLEGRI’S FULL PRESS CONFERENCE
How did the team work this week?
“The team has worked well, as usual, and I can’t complain. Tomorrow, we need to return to winning ways because we’ve only earned one point in the last two games. But we need to show Udinese respect as they are a physical team with good players. Lucca [Sbisa] has improved a lot.
What does Juventus mean for Allegri and what future does he see in black and white?
“Let’s finish the season well; I still have a year left on my contract. Our fate always depends on results. I’m satisfied with reaching this milestone, being on par with Marcelo Lippi on appearances, the same Lippi who made history with Italian football and Juventus. I’m very content, but tomorrow, we have a match to win.”
How is Vlahovic? Will Chiesa start?
“Vlahovic is fine; he should be available next week. We’ll bring Cerri from the Next Gen team. Tomorrow, I’ll assess between Yildiz and Chiesa for the starting lineup.”
Can Alcaraz start?
“No, he’s only been with us for a week. He has the potential to improve. It’s difficult to judge after just one week, but he’ll be useful towards the end of the season.”
Does Inter’s win over Roma reinforce their status as favorites?
“We didn’t need to wait for the Roma match to know they are favorites. For us, having 53 points, we need to focus on winning tomorrow; otherwise, we’ll loosen our grip on the fifth spot. In football, you never know. Winning tomorrow is crucial; it’ll bring us back to within four points of Inter. We need to focus on our journey; Inter is doing extraordinary things. They’ve played seven games in 2024 and won them all.”
Could Inter’s win have a negative impact?
“Compared to Napoli’s win, it’s a different situation for us. Inter’s victory should motivate us even more; by winning, we’d extend our lead over fifth place and narrow the gap to -4. Tomorrow’s match is crucial for our Champions League aspirations next season.”
How is the team mentally?
“We’re doing well; losing a direct clash happens. In Milan, we lost to a team that’s doing extraordinary things; it was a match where we learned a lot.”
Could Chiesa start tomorrow, and what do you expect from him?
“I expect him to deliver good performances and contribute to the team. If Federico starts, it’s a significant opportunity for him; he’s an important player for Juventus, and we expect a lot from him.”
Any regrets about how things ended last Sunday?
“No regrets; we played a good game. I analyzed it right after the final whistle. The first half was balanced, Dimarco had an opportunity, and in the second half, the game opened up, and we had chances to score. At the moment, the strongest team is leading the league. It’s not something I’m saying now; they were favorites from the start and will be until the end. We need to focus on our journey; we need to get back to winning ways because we’ve only earned one point in the last few games.”
One point in two games. Could it be seen as a mini-crisis?
“A crisis? It’s just a metaphor. We’ve had two games and earned one point. It’s a fact. We need to work on that. It’s what counts in the end. Tomorrow, we need to approach the game with great respect for Udinese, knowing they have fewer points than they could have, considering how some matches unfolded. Football is strange, and anything could happen.”
