Max Allegri won’t call Juventus–Fiorentina a Scudetto showdown, but “it is an important crossroads for the campaign.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Tomorrow’s game represents an important crossroads for the campaign,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
Max Allegri won’t call Juventus-Fiorentina a Scudetto showdown, but “it is an important crossroads for the campaign.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Tomorrow’s game represents an important crossroads for the campaign,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“Let’s say a positive result would make it quicker for us to climb up the table than we expected. Having said that, the objective is to be in the final strait for all three tournaments in May.
“With Roma it was the second game, at Napoli we widened the gap between us. It is a positive period for us, tomorrow is a head-to-head with a Fiorentina side that plays good football and is our chance to close the gap.
“Even then, as I said, there is more time afterwards to make up lost ground and the important thing is to be up there for the final six rounds so we can challenge for the Scudetto or top three.
“We know that we are behind Fiorentina and first of all the aim is to play well and put in a strong performance. At the final whistle we’ll see if we were able to get three points or one.
“Fiorentina are not up there by chance, they have been consistent at home and away. They are very attacking, very technical and have some great players, so it will be a high level of quality in this game.
“We must attack them, knowing that a victory would allow us a big leap forward in the table.”
Paulo Sousa has been a revelation on the Viola bench in his debut Serie A season, bringing a Barcelona-style passing play to the Stadio Franchi.
“He got results at Basel and Fiorentina. He is a Coach who will certainly have an important future and in his first year in Italy, even if he played in Serie A for many years, showed he has all the quality to become an excellent Coach. Playing and coaching are two very different jobs.
“There are few things to invent in football. The psychological aspect is essential, as in the end the players are the ones who step on to the field and must be put in the condition to give their best.
“Nowadays there are a million TV cameras, so you can’t disguise anything tactically,” added Allegri.
“They have Borja Valero, Josip Ilicic, a very good forward in Nikola Kalinic who has the characteristics of a real hitman. In midfield they have Milan Badelj and Matias Vecino who are improving game by game. We won’t man-mark anyone, though.
“They don’t have the pressure of needing to win the Scudetto, but are in an excellent situation. Few expected them to be up there, but they deserve their position. It’s still Juventus-Fiorentina, so that will always be an important game.
“I believe we’ll only really work out who will challenge for the Scudetto in March.”
Sami Khedira is back in training and should be called up, while Mario Mandzukic has recovered from flu.
“Khedira is fairly well, as are Mandzukic, Patrice Evra, Simone Padoin and Simone Zaza, so they should all be available.
“Before the Christmas break Daniele Rugani will have his chance to play. Whether it’s 3-5-2 or four at the back changes little for a centre-back.”
Alvaro Morata missed some sitters in the Champions League defeat to Sevilla this week, but also extended his Juventus contract to 2020.
“He has a contract with Juventus, then things will be decided in future for his future,” explained Allegri.
“There has been excessive criticism. He has always scored or created chances in the Champions League and that is not to be sniffed at.
“He had some good opportunities against Manchester City and Sevilla, they didn’t go into the net, but his performance was strong. These periods happen for strikers when they can either score with every touch or it just won’t go in.
“There were moments on Tuesday when we didn’t control the situation well and we conceded a goal. It’s different in the Champions League to Serie A. There are more spaces with two teams fighting to win, but you have to be wary of the quality and that means you cannot lower your guard.
“Unfortunately, around the goal we didn’t move the ball around well in three or four situations and were made to pay for that.”
All six Italian teams progressed from the group stage in Champions League and Europa League, closing the co-efficient gap on England.
“Last season the Italians did very well in Europe, so that shows Serie A isn’t in as bad a shape as people like to think. It would be nice to get a fourth Champions League spot, if not this year then the next. That has to be the objective and shows Italian teams are growing on a European level.”