Max Allegri hit back at what he claims is excessive criticism of Juventus, welcomes back Dani Alves against Lazio and returns to four at the back.
It kicks off on Sunday at 11.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Marchisio has a slight muscular problem, he’ll be available again on Wednesday,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
Max Allegri hit back at what he claims is excessive criticism of Juventus, welcomes back Dani Alves against Lazio and returns to four at the back.
It kicks off on Sunday at 11.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Marchisio has a slight muscular problem, he’ll be available again on Wednesday,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“It’s nice to reach my 300th Serie A match and I thank everyone who worked with me to reach this moment. I hope to reach another 300.
“We are playing with four at the back. Dani Alves is in the squad, his condition isn’t great yet, but with Alex Sandro suspended he can play half-an-hour if needed.
“Patrice Evra is relaxed. He’s on his way out and trying to find the best solution, he’s training and we’ll see what happens.
“I can confirm the defence will be Lichtsteiner-Bonucci-Chiellini-Asamoah. I have some doubts in midfield, as that has to do with Miralem Pjanic’s position. Hernanes could play in front of the defence. Mario Lemina is back from the Africa Cup of Nations because he’s injured, he’ll be evaluated and then we’ll see when he can play again.
“This season we’ve played more often with four at the back, because only four players are from the old guard and really know the 3-5-2 well. The others are all new.
“Our idea is to make a step forward so we can challenge the major European clubs and play them on even terms.”
Allegri is not concerned by the gap at the top closing to one point, albeit with a game in hand, after their defeat to Fiorentina.
“The Scudetto race isn’t over and never was. Anyone who thought it was in the opening weeks was gravely mistaken. Usually the side in second place in Serie A gets at least 80 points, so it’s impossible to win it more than two weeks in advance. We’ve got to get it out of our minds that Juventus should win every match by 3-0. No! Juventus have to win while suffering.
“We have a game in hand, then the Champions League and the Coppa Italia quarter-final with Milan. Our strength must be to deal with moments in a balanced way, whether they’re going well or badly. Right now we are on track. If someone thought we were going to have 57 points from 20 games, they needed to see a doctor.
“Roma and Napoli were built to win, so were Inter, despite people trying to hide it. Juventus have won the Scudetto of getting criticised, at least. Considering the results this team has achieved over five years, it’s extraordinary to have done that, not ordinary.
“Naturally after five years the bar will be raised even more, but we must understand that it takes everyone to come together and achieve something even more extraordinary. It’s not as if we’re eighth in the table, as we were last term after eight rounds. The lads have achieved their objectives this season.
“I am accustomed to criticism, as I got insulted when I was top of the table with Milan as well, so I got used to it. When I leave, maybe you’ll have someone more likeable up here instead.
“So let’s focus on improving the quality of our football, otherwise we won’t reach the Champions League Final in Cardiff, and to get our players back to full fitness.
“We lost four games, but they were all very different. The only one we got totally wrong was against Genoa, when we conceded three goals in 25 minutes.
“If we want to go all the way in every competition, we must know that nobody will give us anything and every match we have to prove that we’re better.
“I have to compliment Simone Inzaghi, as Lazio have a lot of quality and are well-organised, so it’ll be a tough match for us.”
Allegri created controversy last week for shouting what appeared to be insults to the fourth official, but he was spared a ban.
“In Florence I was being man-marked by the fourth official and I couldn’t shake him off, so after 90 minutes I got a little annoyed. In my many years in Serie A, I’ve never said a word against referees.”
Juventus squad for Lazio: Buffon, Chiellini, Pjanic, Khedira, Cuadrado, Higuain, Hernanes, Barzagli, Mandzukic, Bonucci, Pjaca, Dybala, Asamoah, Dani Alves, Rugani, Neto, Lichtsteiner, Rincon, Audero