Massimiliano Allegri has asked his players to move on from Juventus” data-scaytid=”3″>Juventus and focus fully on Saturday’s opponents Palermo.
Reports in the week have been dominated by the fallout between the Rossoneri and their Turin title rivals after the controversial 1-1 draw in Week 25.
Massimiliano Allegri has asked his players to move on from Juventus and focus fully on Saturday’s opponents Palermo.
Reports in the week have been dominated by the fallout between the Rossoneri and their Turin title rivals after the controversial 1-1 draw in Week 25.
Facing the Rosanero this weekend, however, Allegri is keen for his players to concentrate only on winning at the Renzo Barbera for the first time since February 2006.
“These are key games of the season,” insisted Allegri in his Press conference on Friday.
“Tomorrow’s will be significant for the championship – as it was for Juve it is now for Palermo. Tomorrow we can stay ahead, which albeit with an extra played, would be very important.
“Those who returned from their national teams are well and there are no problems. Palermo? It is difficult because we haven’t won in Palermo for six years.
“At home they play better, so I think this game will be decisive for the championship. Palermo has changed a lot over the last year, but they have the same mentality at home.
“We are fine, but today I let all the players know of the importance of this game and that we should try to bring home three points.
“Last year’s Coppa Italia semi-final saw us concede from a corner but I don’t think we deserved to lose.
“They are a quick and organised team with important individuals such as [Fabrizio] Miccoli and [Josip] Ilicic. We should not underestimate them.”
Allegri, despite asking for this shift in attention, still took time to talk Juventus himself.
“Juventus has missed such theatre. This was a riot that lasted 15-20 days.
“In football it takes great patience, even with assistants. In three years I’ve never spoken about referees or assistants, shutting up is best.
“Now I am curious to see the reaction from Juventus next time they face an favourable mistake. I want to see their behaviour. [Gianluigi] Buffon, for example, has remained consistent, but saying that I thought staying silent would have been a good thing.”