Massimiliano Allegri says it’s “very probable” that Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala will start for Juventus in the Coppa Italia final tomorrow.
The Bianconeri face Milan at Stadio Olimpico, and while Neto will replace Gigi Buffon in goal, the rest of the side is open to question.
“Tomorrow it’s likely that Mandzukic and Dybala will play,” Allegri revealed in the pre-match Press conference.
Massimiliano Allegri says it’s “very probable” that Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala will start for Juventus in the Coppa Italia final tomorrow.
The Bianconeri face Milan at Stadio Olimpico, and while Neto will replace Gigi Buffon in goal, the rest of the side is open to question.
“Tomorrow it’s likely that Mandzukic and Dybala will play,” Allegri revealed in the pre-match Press conference.
“It’s not a matter of the League and the Coppa Italia though, it’s a matter of rest and some players play at certain times and others play at different times.
“Aside from the choice of goalkeeper – who by the way we’re very happy with, because after not playing for so long, from Verona onward Neto has grown a lot in those two games, and it’s difficult for a goalkeeper to not play for a year – we’re not inventing anything with the others.
“We’ll play with a three-man defence, and the ones who play will be the ones available [Giorgio Chiellini, Daniele Rugani and Andrea Barzagli]. Then, as I’ve already said, it’s very probable that Mandzukic and Dybala will play.
“[Alvaro] Morata and [Simone] Zaza are two players who can change a game in the course of it, as we’ve determined in the League this season.
“[Paul] Pogba aside, there are two players I have to chose, in front of the defence and the right of central midfield.”
One journalist attempted to ask the Coach about the rumours that Miralem Pjanic could arrive this summer.
“No, excuse me, before you ask a question about the transfer market there’s a game tomorrow and the transfer market… [journalist tries to clarify] No, I wont talk about the transfer market, especially about players from other teams.
“That’s out of respect for my players, and the club will take care of the transfer market. I won’t answer, and I won’t comment on things that other people have said.
“Tomorrow there is a game between Juventus and Milan, it’s a great final so let’s think about that and enjoy it.
“After that you’ll have time to write about the transfer market.”
Allegri was the last Coach to win a trophy with Milan, does that make tomorrow’s final all the more sweet?
“I repeat, tomorrow will be a special game and, above all, a glamour game, because Milan-Juventus is always a fascinating game,” the tactician replied.
“That’s true in the League and also when we meet in finals, like in Manchester in 2003 [for the Champions League]. They’re always fascinating games and beautiful to play.
“We have to be good, at our best, and in the end you need a little bit of luck too. Last year, after the 1-1 it was a good game, Lazio hit both posts and we went up the other end and scored.
“Juventus’ cycle? If anything the cycle ended last year. This year we changed 10 players, brought in a lot of youngsters, so we didn’t start as favourites this year.
“We messed-up in the first 10 games, but then the lads did something extraordinary.
“Tomorrow doesn’t close any cycle. Ok, it ends the season, and then we’ll go to the beach. But on July 6 we’ll start again and we’ll have to be ready for new challenges.
“This isn’t a springboard, the norm is to play a final and try to win.
“Tomorrow night, when we know if we’ve won or lost, nothing will change in terms of our strategy and goals for next season.”