Max Allegri welcomed new stars Miralem Pjanic, Dani Alves and Medhi Benatia, but “wouldn’t be surprised” if Gonzalo Higuain chose Juventus.
The Coach gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport and discussed building the team with Paul Pogba and Leonardo Bonucci in mind.
Max Allegri welcomed new stars Miralem Pjanic, Dani Alves and Medhi Benatia, but “wouldn’t be surprised” if Gonzalo Higuain chose Juventus.
The Coach gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport and discussed building the team with Paul Pogba and Leonardo Bonucci in mind.
“From my first day in charge there have been some big steps forward. This Juve has grown in terms of self-belief. The first year there was this cosmic level of pessimism and a frightening degree of negativity based around the fear of not even getting through the Champions League group phase, but from there we went on a journey that grew our confidence.
“A side that is coming off a lot of success has to begin again with the right mental strength, without arrogance.”
How will Allegri deal with the Italy and France players who return from Euro 2016 disappointed?
“Italy didn’t deserve to go out and those are the defeats that can really hurt you. But football is also wonderful because it gives you the opportunity to get right back up and win again.
“If I see someone is wiped out, I’ll give them a little more vacation time.”
There are several new arrivals in the squad for this season, as after five consecutive Serie A titles, Juve make a definitive push for the Champions League.
“Dani Alves has experience and technique. With Stephan Lichtsteiner we’ll have an important push down the flanks.
“Pjanic plays in front of the defence or as a trequartista. He can do everything because he knows football perfectly well and therefore has no problems playing in any zone of the pitch. He’s also only 26 years old, so can improve even more.
“We know Paulo Dybala already, he has great skill and a very clear objective: to become one of the best players in the world.
“Now, saying that we need another two or three players is unfair, especially as I don’t want to talk about transfers, but the club is working well and knows we need alternatives.
“Is this the strongest Juventus squad I’ve had? Every team is different, but this one is very strong and I am fortunate to be training great champions.”
There is one piece of the puzzle missing, namely a great centre-forward like Napoli striker Higuain.
“Pjanic said he wouldn’t be surprised if Higuain chose Juve? Well, this club now has a different appeal, so it’s an understandable attitude.
“It’ll be a difficult season, because the bar has been raised in Italy and Europe. Do I see euphoria among the fans? Euphoria is the spice of life, without it you don’t work well.”