Max Allegri explains his choices for the Europa League Round of 16 against SC Freiburg, including why he froze out Paul Pogba ‘out of respect for the squad’ due to a disciplinary matter.
It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium at 20.00 GMT.
The Bianconeri dropped down from the Champions League and got past FC Nantes in the play-off thanks to an Angel Di Maria hat-trick in France.
Now they host SC Freiburg for the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16, fresh from Sunday’s Serie A defeat to Roma.
“We have an important match this evening, then another on Sunday and after that another,” Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.
There had been reports that Federico Chiesa was going to start in a 3-4-3 formation with Angel Di Maria and Dusan Vlahovic, but instead the Italian is benched with the Argentine acting as support for a lone striker.
“This tie can be decided in the second half, so I preferred to have Chiesa on the bench and he’ll be fit for Sunday too. Vlahovic is in good shape, I think he will have a good game.
“It is very important to leave tonight with a victory.”
Pogba was left out of the squad as a disciplinary measure because he turned up late to a team meeting, so Allegri was inevitably asked about that decision.
“He was late last night and, out of respect for the squad, I think it is only right not to call him up. He will be at our disposal again from tomorrow.”