Massimiliano Allegri underlined how the Europa League ‘could be a gateway’ back into the Champions League for Juventus following their 15-point deduction.
The Bianconeri were handed the penalty by the FIGC court for allegedly falsifying their capital gains with inflated player transfer values. The punishment leaves Juventus 9th in the Serie A table after 22 games, 12 points behind top four candidates Atalanta, Roma and Milan.
Juventus dropped down to the Europa League after collapsing in their Champions League campaign in the first half of the season, when they suffered losses to Benfica, Paris Saint-Germain and Maccabi Haifa.
Speaking in a press conference, Allegri first provided an update on the health of his Juventus squad.
“Cuadrado will be there, even if he won’t be 100%. Bonucci too, he will be called up to let him breathe the team atmosphere. Then everyone is available except Pogba and Kaio Jorge.”
He touched on what the clash with Nantes means for the Bianconeri.
“Tomorrow starts the Europa League, it’s the European journey. We were eliminated in the Champions League, but it can be a gateway to the next Champions League.
“There is the play-off with Nantes to then go to the Round of 16 and try to go all the way.”
The Italian coach was asked if there was still anger following their exit from the Champions League in the first half of the season.
“Being knocked out of the Champions League has left us bitter and angry. The Europa League is not easy, playing it and winning it.
“Nantes come from the last 10 games with only one defeat against Marseille, making six clean sheets.
“They have fast, technical players, tomorrow we have to put the foundations in place so that we can go to Nantes with a good lead.”
Allegri touched on if his squad choices would be dictated by a possible focus on the Europa League.
“We are focused on the present, we’re taking one step at a time. We absolutely must not lose that, it must be our strength from here to the end.
“In the league, in the cup and in Europe. We have to work and improve some things, ball control has to be done better, and we have to try to make up as many points as possible in the league.”
He was asked if playing on Thursday nights was a positive or negative thing for the Old Lady.
“Europe gives the possibility to fill up the calendar. To go weeks without playing is boring, it’s better to play Sunday-Wednesday or, since we can’t play on Wednesday, then Sunday-Thursday.
“We are all recovering, the important squad allows us to play, the five changes help, but playing Thursday-Sunday is not a problem. We play when they tell us to!”
The Italian coach commented on if the Europa League campaign was a way to cancel out the poor work in the Champions League.
“For me tomorrow is a debut in the Europa League. All the more reason to respect Nantes. The guys are showing they are a team, we need commitment and respect.”
He provided a brief update on injured star Paul Pogba, who still hasn’t made an appearance for Juventus this season.
“We hope to have him as soon as possible, he is still behind. He has to be assessed day by day, one small step at a time. Milik, I didn’t mention him before, he’s recovering but still not recovered.”
Allegri was asked about his recent behaviour in the dugout, like passionate goal celebrations and arguing with a booing fan, and if that represented a greater involvement in the club amidst their off-pitch issues.
“I am not a leader but a coach. At the base of everything is the club, which is the base of all of us. There are moments and there are moments, in some moments things have to be done.
“Right now, the compactness has to make the difference, a team that has 15 points taken away overnight is upset. And you have to find situations to pull ourselves together quickly.
“In fact, we lost against Monza at home, it was another blow after the reaction against Atalanta. Now we have reassembled, we need to take one step at a time. We have to win to prepare for Spezia in the best possible way.”
He spoke about if extra commitments help the players take their minds off the legal issues surrounding the team.
“For us as a team, the 15-point deduction is in the past, we don’t have to think about it. After the upset, we realised that there is a goal. The other things don’t concern us, we look at what happens on the pitch.”
He gave a positive update on Federico Chiesa.
“The fact that he recovered after Sunday means he is absorbing the competitions he plays.”
Allegri was asked how much of a priority the Europa League was for Juventus.
“At Juventus you always have to think about winning. In the league we have to get back on track, tomorrow we have to win and there will be a full stadium and that’s a good signal from the fans. After the point deduction they compacted and are helping us a lot.”
Finally, Allegri gave his thoughts on the upcoming opponents FC Nantes.
“Nantes are solid, they have technical players. But let me send a hug to the Nantes player (Ganago, ed.) who lost a young son in the past few days.”