Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri admits the Bianconeri wasted their advantage in the second part of the season but had no doubt the club would confirm trust in him during the break.

Juventus return to the pitch after the international break on Saturday in an away game at Lazio. The Biancocelesti replaced Maurizio Sarri with Tudor just before the break.

“Everyone must be focused on the final part of the season right now. Unfortunately, we wasted the advantage we had over the fifth-placed teams, so we must be realistic right now,” Allegri said at a press conference.

“We only earned seven points in the last eight games, and in the second part of the season, we only collected 13 points. We have nine games remaining to cement a Champions League placement, filling one of the three spots left.”

All players have returned from international duty and the team will travel to Rome later today.

“Those who remained here worked well like those who returned from international duty,” said Allegri.

“Some reached their targets, like Szczesny who qualified for the Euros. Most played friendlies. Now we start the final part of the season, 55 days ending on May 25.

“These moments are part of football, so we must react, earn results, and reach the target of qualifying for the Champions League. The lads must remain calm, especially because we’ve earned 59 points until now. Of course, when results are lacking, something must be done to create the enthusiasm needed to face the final part of the season in the best way.

“It’s hard to explain football. We work every day, trying to see our errors. Talking and explaining is useless right now,” continued Allegri.

“We must work on our errors and improve. In football, results count, and we must reverse this trend.”

Juventus director Maurizio Scanavino confirmed during the break that the club trust Allegri.

“We play in Coppa Italia too. On Tuesday, we have another important game against Lazio,” said the coach.

“We must only focus on this. I am happy the club confirmed their trust, but I had no doubts about it. We are working, and the club is programming the future, but right now, it is fundamental to focus on the present. We’ll have many games against direct opponents.

“He [Scanavino] represents the club and the owners. We accept criticism [from the media], especially at this moment. Results count. Right now, we are not getting good results; we are not doing well because 13 points is not enough, but football always gives us a chance to react. We must work to reverse this trend. Our target is too important. We must play in the Champions League this season, we have the Club World Cup, so we can’t miss out on this target.”

Tudor, a former Juventus defender, will make his debut on the Lazio bench tomorrow. What does Allegri expect from the Biancocelesti?

“Tudor’s teams are always aggressive, so we must perform well in every aspect. This will be a nice test and a starting point for the next matches,” he replied.

“Tudor did well in Marseille and Verona. I think Lazio will be different, but I don’t know if two weeks are enough. It’s hard, almost impossible to explain football. We must be aware that Lazio will be mentally aggressive. Changing the coach always gives something more.

“We must be ready, knowing that Lazio has important players: Luis Alberto, Zaccagni, Immobile, Felipe Anderson, Vecino—all players of great quality.”

How many points will Juventus need to end in the top four?

“At the moment, we have 70 points. There are many games against direct opponents. Surely, 59 points are not enough, so we must earn more points and win again. In this difficult moment, the team will grow.

“Our goal is to obtain the best result. We must do our best and earn as many points as possible. Nine games remain, and 27 points are available, so we must earn as many as possible.”

Juventus currently sit third in the Serie A table, three points below second-placed Milan and eight above Roma who currently sit fifth.

On Tuesday, they’ll face Lazio again in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-finals at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.

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