Massimiliano Allegri expects a ‘complicated match’ for Juventus against Lazio and feels that the game represents a ‘direct clash for second place’ in the table.
The Bianconeri were handed a 15-point deduction by the FIGC court back in January but will hear the verdict of their appeal at CONI’s Collegio di Garanzia later this month. The club are hoping for these points to be returned, which would see them shoot up to second in the table, four points ahead of Lazio.
Whilst Napoli have ran away with the Scudetto this season, the fight for a top four finish is still incredibly tight, with only seven points separating the five teams behind Luciano Spalletti’s side.
Speaking in a press conference, Allegri first discussed the strengths of Lazio.
“Before answering the question, I wanted to wish President Silvio Berlusconi good luck and hope to see him again as soon as possible.
“Lazio are having a great season, it’s a direct clash for second place. Sarri has gone back to the beginning when his teams were characterised by great defences. It will be a complicated match.”
He was asked if Dusan Vlahovic would be left on the bench against the Biancocelesti.
“I haven’t decided anything yet, I’ll do it after training. I have to see Pogba and Bonucci who have worked with the team, I have to see who has recovered from Tuesday.
“Barrenechea and Iling won’t be there because they played with the Next Gen yesterday.”
The Juventus coach reflected on the various controversies stemming from the recent Derby d’Italia.
“What happened in the locker room and on the pitch are bad things to see, both those on the pitch and those who came from upstairs.
“The most important thing is that within 24 hours Juventus has caught those who made racist insults, Juventus fights all types of discrimination.”
Allegri was asked if Federico Chiesa was fit enough to start against Lazio.
“He’s better, he came on well the other day. Tomorrow I’ll have to decide, we have many games and I have to manage my strengths. In defence there will be a few changes.”
He commented on what Sarri lacked to earn a second year with the Bianconeri.
“Even I was not confirmed after winning the Scudetto. Maurizio is doing a great job, the thing he is doing very well is that the team is much more usual.”
The Juventus coach spoke about his expectations for the match.
“I wouldn’t want a match like Aglianese-Sangiovannese to happen, a 0-0 with no goals. Difficult to attack Lazio, it will be a balanced match.”
He was asked to comment on the Serie A sporting judge’s decisions, like handing a three-game ban to Juan Cuadrado or closing the Curva Sud of the Allianz Stadium.
“There is no comment, there are the competent bodies that decide. We only have to think about playing, we must not get distracted. We must definitely be better at keeping calm. There’s little to say, Cuadrado got a three-game ban. For him the Coppa Italia is over.”
He touched on the capital gains case involving Lazio.
“These are judicial matters that Juventus are working on and defending themselves in the relevant rooms, I have no advice to give Sarri.”
Finally, Allegri was asked why he and Sarri were sacked by Juventus following their respective Scudetto wins.
“Speaking for myself, at that moment there it was right to split up. Otherwise, we might not have found each other afterwards, life is full of combinations. Sometimes you have to let things go and be fatalistic.”