Max Allegri assured Juventus have no Champions League hangover and will focus on Genoa, but “we’re not at our best yet.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“We are absolutely not still ‘drunk’ from Dortmund,” smiled the Coach in his Press conference after a 3-0 Champions League triumph over Borussia.
Max Allegri assured Juventus have no Champions League hangover and will focus on Genoa, but “we’re not at our best yet.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“We are absolutely not still ‘drunk’ from Dortmund,” smiled the Coach in his Press conference after a 3-0 Champions League triumph over Borussia.
“We did great work, achieved our objective of qualification and now prepare for the quarter-final. If Monaco got this far, it means they have quality. It’s not easy to eliminate Arsenal, after all.
“Were we fortunate to get them in the draw? I think the expectations can be overturned. Maybe the other clubs were the ones breathing a sigh of relief that they didn’t pick us out of the hat.”
The Coach was not wanted by many fans when he replaced Antonio Conte, but is this now Allegri’s Juve?
“I’m pretty sure that for over 100 years it has been Agnelli’s Juve… I believe in my work and in balance, then the quality of the squad will emerge.
“We’re in great shape, but not at our best yet. The ambition is to improve this journey and to become consistently one of the top eight teams in Europe.”
The Bianconeri are 14 points clear at the top of the Serie A table and hope to further extend that advantage against Genoa tomorrow afternoon.
“It is a difficult test, as Genoa have already beaten us this season. They also had a full week to prepare for this match, so we need to be at the top of our game.
“Genoa picked up 20 points on their travels and have fought back from a losing situation seven times. We cannot afford to underestimate any game, especially against a gritty Genoa side.
“This match and the two after the break for international duty will be decisive for the end of the season, as we don’t want to get into trouble. If we do well, then we can focus on the Coppa Italia semi-final and the Champions League quarter-final with Monaco.
“Right now we must grit our teeth, because we’ve got to be better than three months ago.”
Allegri also stood up for Italian football as a whole, insisting the 14-point gap did not mean the other teams are poor.
“I do not agree with this denigration of Serie A, as it is a very tough League. If there are three Italian clubs still in Europe, it means our football is not as disastrous as some would have you think.
“In Italy we tend to get depressed and underestimate what we have here. It’s normal that there are going to be different eras, but Italian football has always been at a high level and this year is a good sign.”
Paul Pogba is out for almost two months, but Allegri confirmed Alessandro Matri, Claudio Marchisio and Stefano Sturaro are available, while Andrea Pirlo will be back after the break.
Andrea Barzagli is returning to full fitness after eight months out and could receive an Italy call-up this week.
“At this stage of the year, those who haven’t played as much are the ones who can secure the most important points.
“Roma can still get back into the title race, as I think we need 83 points to win it. Do I have advice for Rudi Garcia? No. It’s not at all easy to win in Italy, especially for a big club, as everyone puts in the performance of a lifetime against you.”