Max Allegri said the Juventus victory at Empoli” data-scaytid=”3″>Empoli and Roma’s defeat to Napoli proves critics were too quick to judge.
Max Allegri said the Juventus victory at Empoli and Roma’s defeat to Napoli proves critics were too quick to judge.
The Bianconeri were caught at the top of the table midweek, but are back to a three-point lead thanks to their 2-0 win in Tuscany and Roma’s loss by the same scoreline.
“I respect your work, but I have to take a balanced view and it was unfair to say after two games that Juve had lost all their worth,” Allegri told Sport Mediaset.
“I said this season would be balanced. Many of you had already thrown Napoli out to sea, yet they have quality players and if not for two Higuain penalty misses would’ve been right up there with us.”
The deadlock at the Stadio Castellani was broken by an Andrea Pirlo free kick and Alvaro Morata curler.
“I am satisfied with the second half, but we were too hasty in the first and made many mistakes. I compliment my team, as they stuck with it and didn’t run risks until our growth coincided with Empoli falling off the boil.
“Pirlo broke his duck and I think also had a psychological breakthrough with that goal after performances that were not up to his usual standards. He can make the difference on set plays and is improving, as is Vidal.”
Now Allegri must prepare for a crucial Champions League clash with Olympiacos in Turin.
“It is a do-or-die game, because it would be really difficult to get back into it if we failed to win, but we still have to face it with a relaxed state of mind.
“We have real potential and we proved that in Athens, creating many chances and allowing them very little.”
Juve lost both their away matches in the Champions League, 1-0 at both Atletico Madrid and Olympiacos.