The Juventus coach discusses the home challenge against Cagliari: “When the match ends, it’s crucial to bring home the three points.”
Massimiliano Allegri, the Juventus coach, discusses the upcoming home challenge against Cagliari with the aim of putting pressure on the league leaders Inter and approaching the international break on a positive note. Allegri emphasizes the importance of securing the 3 points against Cagliari. He also touches upon the team’s cohesion and the strength of the players who may not be in the starting lineup.
ALLEGI’S PRESS CONFERENCE
How important is the tomorrow’s match?
‘It’s important from both points of view, both to finish this cycle well before the break and to mantain our position in the standings and be over the 5th place.’
Who will be the captain?
‘Tomorrow the captain will be Locatelli, who just renewed his contract. A nice reward for him.’
Will there be rotation? Who will play in goal?
‘Szczesny plays, unfortunately, this year, not playing in the cups, we have fewer games, and for Perin, it will be a more difficult year because he will play a little less.’
Given Gatti’s suspension, could Huijsen play?
‘Tomorrow Gatti will start, we can’t make calculations. Tomorrow is the most important match. Cagliari is very dangerous, having Ranieri is always ab advantage. They have fast and technical players up front. Tomorrow will be difficult, we’ll need a lot of patience. But when the match ends, it’s crucial to bring home the 3 points.‘
Who will play in Rabiot’s place?
‘In Rabiot’s place, we will have McKennie, Nicolussi Caviglia, Miretti, Locatelli, and Nonge, who has grown a lot. Everyone in feeling well.
How difficult is it to think about Cagliari and not Inter?
‘The match against Cagliari is difficult, not so much because we have Inter immediately after the break. We have had a period of important results, which can lower our attention and energy. Cagliari must be faced with serenity, humility, and respect, without thinking about what will happen in 15 days.
Taking inspiration from Milan with Ibrahimovic, how would you take the entry of a former player like Del Piero into the club?
‘These decisions are the club’s problems. I think about the players, the staff, those who work at Continassa. Then these are things that other people will decide, for the good of the club.’
How much have you changed since your time at Cagliari? Can Iling and Cambiaso play as midfielders?
I have Changed for sure. I never look at old photos because they leave a bit of sadness behind. I was lucky to coach a Cagliari with very good players. I took a step forward coaching Milan for 4 years, and now I’ve been at Juventus for 8 years. In 19/20 years of my career, every season is different. I could move McKennie to the middle and put Cambiaso or Iling on the right. We can also change the formation, we will see.’
Danilo’s situation.
Danilo has to take take it one step at a time; if he returns for the Inter match, all the better, but otherwise, I prefer not to risk it.
