Max Allegri warned Juventus “cannot get it wrong” against Empoli, “or they will ruin my break. Trust me, they don’t want to do that!”
It kicks off at the Stadio Castellani on Sunday at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“I’ll be happy if at the end of the game Juventus have picked up three points. To do that, we need a performance of quality in both attack and defence,” he said in his Press conference.
Max Allegri warned Juventus “cannot get it wrong” against Empoli, “or they will ruin my break. Trust me, they don’t want to do that!”
It kicks off at the Stadio Castellani on Sunday at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“I’ll be happy if at the end of the game Juventus have picked up three points. To do that, we need a performance of quality in both attack and defence,” he said in his Press conference.
“It is an unusual kick-off time against an Empoli side that lost to Inter and Lazio, but played well and didn’t deserve defeat, especially last weekend.
“I am glad that in the Champions League against Dinamo Zagreb we played with much more quality and pace than at Palermo, so there were improvements.”
The Coach was asked if he would continue his tactical experiments after using Hernanes and Sami Khedira together in midfield, while Mario Mandzukic and Gonzalo Higuain were attacking partners at Palermo.
“More than different systems, I am using players with different characteristics in the same roles, so some are 10 metres further forward, some 10 metres further back.
“I wanted to see how the lads would move on the field and it was decent. I think it’s wrong to change everything from the start, but we can perform a few experiments as the match goes on. Hopefully it won’t be necessary, as that’ll mean we need to turn the game around.
“Hernanes also did well in midfield as the playmaker last season, but was always murdered in the Press by critics, so it makes me smile that suddenly the same people see him as indispensable for Juventus.
“Right now those who are on the bench are more important almost than those who start, as they keep up the competitiveness of the squad. We need to improve the quality of our football, but in any case our aim is to continue improving from here to the end of the season, regardless of results.”
Leonardo Bonucci said yesterday that the Champions League was the main objective for Juventus.
“We are taking part in every competition with the objective to win it, not putting them in a certain order. The important thing is tomorrow that we cannot have the wrong attitude and the players know full well if they get it wrong with Empoli, they will ruin their own break for international duty and above all ruin that of the Coach. Trust me, they don’t want to do that!
“This game reminds of the one we had at Carpi last season and it ended with some heart flutters, because we risked throwing everything away and ruining the comeback. The lads know this is a very important match and they cannot underestimate it.”
That 3-2 victory over Carpi famously saw Allegri pull off his coat in a rage and throw it at the pitch, creating numerous Hulk memes.
“We had an extra day of rest this week, so everyone is fresh, sharp and eager to be in good shape ahead of the break for international duty.
“The clubs buy players for millions of pounds because they bring a certain quality and have moves in their DNA that cannot be taught. A Coach can point to various directions for runs and positions, but can only do so much.
“I have not yet decided the line-up, specifically who to play and where.”