Max Allegri reveals Gennaro Gattuso always “wanted to be a Coach” even when playing for his Milan and looks forward to another page in Juventus history.
The Coppa Italia Final is in Rome on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
“This game is very important for us, very important, because it would help close off a season with a Scudetto that isn’t mathematically ours yet, but nearly,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
Max Allegri reveals Gennaro Gattuso always “wanted to be a Coach” even when playing for his Milan and looks forward to another page in Juventus history.
The Coppa Italia Final is in Rome on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
“This game is very important for us, very important, because it would help close off a season with a Scudetto that isn’t mathematically ours yet, but nearly,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“With this Cup, the lads could again get into the history books of Juventus. We have to play with enthusiasm, because we had some wobbles against Inter and Bologna. It’s always wonderful to play for a Cup and to face Milan, as these games are always very balanced.”
Allegri is a former Milan Coach and had current Rossoneri boss Gennaro Gattuso in his squad.
“Rino is passionate about football and is also really hard-headed. You could tell he wanted to be a Coach. It’s not easy to sit on the Milan bench after experiences at Sion and Pisa, taking over during a complicated situation. He did very well, because he’s getting some very good results.
“The most important thing about Gattuso, and I know this because he was my player, is that when you stop playing and were a champion for many years, it’s not easy to challenge yourself all over again.
“Rino has done that very well, as did Pippo Inzaghi. Starting again from the Lega Pro is not easy, so I have to compliment them.
“I think Gattuso has calmed down a bit lately and that’s a good sign too. I hope he’ll get more annoyed tomorrow, as that’ll mean things are going badly for Milan and well for us!”
Allegri was asked about the tactical approach after using Juan Cuadrado as a right-back lately.
“Either Medhi Benatia or Daniele Rugani will start, while it’s Andrea Barzagli’s birthday today and we have to give him a nice present. Of those three, two will play.
“Cuadrado has done well as a right-back. He made some mistakes against Inter with the timing of the runs, but he just needs more practice.
“Mario Mandzukic, Mattia De Sciglio and Stefano Sturaro are all available, so it’s just Giorgio Chiellini and Benedikt Howedes out. We’ll see if we defend with two, three or four, it depends on the characteristics of the players.
“We know Milan will cause us problems, as they are very dangerous on the counter, so we’ve got to do strong preventative marking. Milan have a lot of technically-gifted players, it’s a Final and we must show a strong mentality.”
Juventus have been criticised by many for their performances, especially compared to the champagne football of Napoli and Maurizio Sarri.
“If we win the Scudetto, regardless of how the Coppa Italia Final goes, it will have been an extraordinary season for Juventus. We should enjoy our achievements.
“People point out our defects and that can only help the team to improve, because if all we got was compliments, we’d never see what could be done better.
“A Coach is fortunate when he has a strong club behind him that puts a group of players at his disposal, but first and foremost a group of men. Fortunately, in my 10 years of Serie A football from Cagliari to today, I have always had men of great values working with me, otherwise they couldn’t be at Milan or Juventus.
“They’ve all given me the kind of satisfaction I can never forget, because they are part of my life, everyone teaching me something important.
“I have great fun being a Coach, otherwise I’d be in trouble.”