Max Allegri insists ‘a new season begins’ for Juventus against Bologna, as they have ‘plenty of time’ to recover lost ground in Serie A and the Champions League. ‘Focus not on problems, but solutions.’
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin.
The Bianconeri went into the break for international duty in crisis, having lost both Champions League matches, plus a 1-0 Serie A defeat to new boys Monza.
There are still numerous injuries for the coach to deal with, plus Angel Di Maria starting a two-match ban, but Manuel Locatelli, Adrien Rabiot and Alex Sandro are back.
“From tomorrow, a new season begins,” assured Allegri in his press conference.
“We won’t forget the first month went badly, as the statistics don’t lie, we played nine games, lost three and drew four. We must be aware of the moment we are going through.
“Tomorrow we face a Bologna side who did not deserve their defeat to Empoli. We are trying to bring Juventus back to winning ways with hard work and passion. We all have to be up for debate. There are moments when things go well, others when they don’t, but you must be ready to get things back on track.
“We have plenty of time to recover, both in Serie A and the Champions League. Fortunately, football always gives you a chance to start again.
“Over the last two weeks, we had the opportunity to exchange ideas, understand the problems and try to find solutions. The trouble is the tendency is to seek the problems, instead we need to focus on solutions. One of the main things is to deal with unexpected events better, such as against Salernitana or Roma.
“It is not the first rough period I’ve been through. The important thing is to be hungry, seek out a challenge you can win.”
The tactician was questioned over the decision to leave out Leonardo Bonucci against Monza last time.
“He had only played three games, was tired and I preferred to rest him. Even though he is the captain, Bonucci is 35 years old and we have matches every three games. The same goes for Danilo and Juan Cuadrado, it’s difficult to have a set starting XI with this schedule.
“The two weeks of training allowed us to recuperate Alex Sandro, Locatelli and Rabiot both physically and mentally, so they are ready to play. As for the others, Federico Chiesa will be ready to work with the ball a little more from next week. Pogba hasn’t started running yet, so we need to see how that evolves, a lot of water will flow under the bridge before he gets to play.”
With Di Maria suspended, Allegri is working on a 3-5-2 formation with Arkadiusz Milik and Dusan Vlahovic together, the Poland international also returning from his ban.
“They can co-exist, we are trying to get the best out of them.”
Fans and even former players have expressed frustration at the lack of opportunities given to Manuel Locatelli under Allegri.
“Locatelli had an extraordinary season last year, this time he didn’t start in the best way, but the break for international duty helped. I believe he will be a future pillar of Juventus, both for his qualities on the field and off them.”
Allegri is the master of spin, stating the obvious will not be a solution to a problem .He is the architect of this and i hope he informs the rest of Serie A that the season is starting again,
If Bologna win, will he say that the players are did not find the solution.
Allegri is the master of spin, stating the obvious will not be a solution to a problem .He is the architect of this and i hope he informs the rest of Serie A that the season is starting again,
If Bologna win, will he say that the players are did not find the solution.
The Allegrisaurus is earning every dime and well deserved. What else can he say. PhD Max is guiding, motivating and breathing new life into the 7/9. He has a master plan. He is waiting for the WC and will have time to think, ponder and reimagine the art of the back, back, down, down. Come the new year, new blueprints will be drawn up and Dusan will be aiming to touch the ball a record 3 times per game. Love it.
I’m so excited. Sandro the brick layer, Rabiot the ghost and Locatelli the Loco all brought to you by the PhD of the back, back down.
About allegri, slow football playing and not attacking strategy!!