Max Allegri is starting to admit Juventus are in a Scudetto race, talking about the ‘head-to-head’ with Inter and assuring ‘nothing is impossible in football’ as he celebrates 300 Serie A wins.
The 3-0 victory away to Lecce was secured in the second half thanks to a pair of goals from Dusan Vlahovic – although one was going in anyway from Weston McKennie’s header – and Gleison Bremer.
“There was a moment during the game when the team lowered the concentration levels and we ran a few risks. It might not seem like it, but if you concede a goal it all becomes more complicated and psychologically the momentum is with the other side,” Allegri told DAZN of his rage on the touchline when Juve were 2-0 up.
“We are trying to get used to winning as much as possible. There are moments when you have to attack, to defend, and in understanding those moments we have definitely improved.
“The confidence of the players has also increased. Lecce ran hard and pressed, it was a complicated match and we made some mistakes in the final ball. Luckily, when Lecce started to run out of steam, we took control.”
Was it fair for Vlahovic to steal that goal from McKennie right on the line?
“McKennie is scared of flying, so he came here by train and perhaps it would’ve been better if he had scored.”
Vlahovic has now scored four goals in two Serie A games, while Juve have beaten Sassuolo and Lecce 3-0 in back-to-back fixtures. It is a far cry from Allegri’s trademark ‘by a nose’ victories earlier in the season.
“We are working on moving better as a team, occupying the right areas and also how to shake off your marker, which is one of the key components in football. These are all things we are working on in training.”
As Inter are in Riyadh for tomorrow’s Supercoppa Italiana showdown with Napoli, their fixture against Atalanta is rescheduled, so Juventus are currently top of the table.
The Derby d’Italia head-to-head is set for February 4 at San Siro and could well be decisive for the Scudetto.
“It is important for us to reach the head-to-head in optimal physical and psychological condition. Above all, we are now 19 points clear of fifth place.”
Despite the usual routine about wanting a top four finish, Allegri is finally starting to hint at the Scudetto race.
“There is nothing impossible in football. We must have that belief in our minds that we can do something extraordinary and make the seemingly impossible become possible. We must give our all, then if the others do better, you shake their hands and applaud them for their efforts.
“This attitude pushes you to go beyond your limits and conviction becomes fundamental in life.”
This was Allegri’s 300th career victory in Serie A, becoming only the third coach to achieve this target, after Nereo Rocco on 302 and Giovanni Trapattoni with 352.
“I am glad to have reached 300 wins, I can only thank all the players I worked with since I started in Serie A. I consider myself very fortunate, as I worked with some extraordinary players and it was a real pleasure to watch them.”
Is this the best Juve of Allegri’s second stint on the Bianconeri bench?
“When I returned to Juventus, the first year we saw a little arrogance in people assuming we’d get right back to winning ways, which was absolutely not to be taken for granted.
“I also had to get accustomed to watching games, being on the touchline again and making changes. We had the growth process together over these years.
“There is also a new director Cristiano Giuntoli, other staff members and it is all continuing the project we started in 2021.”
Allegri si gode il primo posto in classifica 🥇#Allegri #LecceJuventus #SerieATIM #DAZN pic.twitter.com/E1W28rx8vj
— DAZN Italia (@DAZN_IT) January 21, 2024