Max Allegri wants Juventus to be “humble and take it one game at a time,” starting from Sevilla, insisting the Champions League is not their main objective.
The Champions League clash kicks off tomorrow at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) in Turin.
“Patrice Evra will start. I only have one doubt in midfield. Some are coming off international duty and have played several games in a row, so I will decide tomorrow. My only doubt is in midfield,” confessed the Coach in his Press conference.
Max Allegri wants Juventus to be “humble and take it one game at a time,” starting from Sevilla, insisting the Champions League is not their main objective.
The Champions League clash kicks off tomorrow at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) in Turin.
“Patrice Evra will start. I only have one doubt in midfield. Some are coming off international duty and have played several games in a row, so I will decide tomorrow. My only doubt is in midfield,” confessed the Coach in his Press conference.
“When Juventus take part in the Champions League, they must target the maximum result. Sevilla have won the Europa League for the last three years in a row, so this is a difficult game.
“Sevilla were very organised in defence last term, but are now much more attack-minded, score a lot of goals and have changed their approach. That means we must be patient, balanced and remember the only objective is three points.
“I am accustomed to facing one thing at a time. Our objective is to win tomorrow’s game and get through the group. It is a whole other competition in March, where we must be at our peak physically and psychologically. Then things have to go your way, which they didn’t over the last two years.
“At the end people remember who wins, not who comes second. We must also not take Serie A for granted, as people seem to assume we’ll win the Scudetto, that it’s already written, but the quality of the other teams is very high and it will be tough.
“It was not a surprise for me when we got to the Final in Berlin. Juventus are a team built to fight along with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City to go all the way in the Champions League.
“We have only four players left from that side, we are still putting together the team and the new players are settling in, so we are a work in progress. The side started relatively well in Serie A, we will try to start well in the Champions League.
“There is no point now thinking about what will happen in March, April or May. One step at a time.”
Gonzalo Higuain is expected to partner Paulo Dybala upfront tomorrow.
“Everyone can improve and that is what we are working for. Gigi Buffon proves that, as he always works to improve. As long as you play, your objective should be to get better.
“We have Mario Mandzukic, who played the first two games and was on the bench against Sassuolo, but has great international experience and won the Champions League already. He is an added value, seeing as at the moment we just get asked about Higuain and Dybala.
“When you arrive at a club like Juventus, there is always pressure. You mustn’t lose your head in the favourable or unfavourable moments. There will be moments of difficulty, but that doesn’t mean a team is suddenly useless. We saw what people said about us last season when we had a rough start.
“As the media seem to insist Juventus are the favourites for the Scudetto and Champions League, we within the locker room must isolate ourselves from that easy euphoria and knuckle down even more, keeping our psychological balance.”
Are Juve more European this term?
“I’ll say that at the end of the Champions League. What counts are results and at this moment people claim that the Champions League is the primary objective of the season.
“However, that is a separate tournament that we will try to the end, but our chances are no better than last year or the year before. Our primary objective must be a sixth consecutive Scudetto, as that would be making history.”