Allegri: ‘A positive Roma-Juve’

Max Allegri hopes “Italian football will emerge positively” from tomorrow’s Roma-Juventus Scudetto battle.

It kicks off on Monday at 20.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.

The first order of the day was a question on the fitness levels of Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal, seeing as Andrea Pirlo is already ruled out.

“They are doing fairly well and I’ll evaluate them in today’s training session,” said Allegri in his Press conference.

Max Allegri hopes “Italian football will emerge positively” from tomorrow’s Roma-Juventus Scudetto battle.

It kicks off on Monday at 20.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.

The first order of the day was a question on the fitness levels of Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal, seeing as Andrea Pirlo is already ruled out.

“They are doing fairly well and I’ll evaluate them in today’s training session,” said Allegri in his Press conference.

Pogba has an inflammation in his thigh muscle, while Vidal has a bruise to the back.

“If they are in good shape, then they will play, otherwise we have those who can replace them. There are Claudio Marchisio, Stefano Sturaro, Simone Padoin and Roberto Pereyra.

“We could even decide to play with only two midfielders. This is only one game and I don’t want to risk losing someone for a month. We’ve already lost Pirlo, it would be stupid to risk another.

“My tactical decisions will also be based on who is at my disposal. Until I know that, I can’t pick an approach.”

Juventus have a nine-point lead at the top of the Serie A table, but Roma are fired up after their Europa League victory at Feyenoord on Thursday.

“It was great to see all five Italians reach the next round and this is a great result for Italian football. Roma have few weak points, a lot of quality and in a one-off game all previous results are wiped out.

“It has been three months since our last encounter with Roma and after this there will be another 13 games and 39 points available.

“I expect a great game with excellent technique, much like the one we saw in Turin. The entertainment value ended up in the background at the end, but it was a wonderful match.”

The main headlines around the 3-2 Juventus victory were around refereeing decisions, though Allegri won’t call them ‘errors.’

“There were incidents that were borderline, but even those who watched the replays over and over still can’t agree with each other. Technology should be introduced for the goal-line.

“Tomorrow Italian football has to emerge positively, both on and off the pitch. These are the two strongest sides in the League.

“From now on they are all head-to-head battles for position and it will be important not to leave anything behind on a psychological level too.

“We have a nine-point advantage, but there are many games to go.”