Max Allegri admits Juventus played Bologna with “a hangover” from the Atletico Madrid defeat and believes their biggest problem right now is fitness.
Paulo Dybala came off the bench to scrape a 1-0 win at the Stadio Dall’Ara, but Nicola Sansone’s shot was tipped on to the upright in stoppages.
Max Allegri admits Juventus played Bologna with “a hangover” from the Atletico Madrid defeat and believes their biggest problem right now is fitness.
Paulo Dybala came off the bench to scrape a 1-0 win at the Stadio Dall’Ara, but Nicola Sansone’s shot was tipped on to the upright in stoppages.
“It was only natural there would be a hangover after such an important game as the Champions League. We allowed Bologna very little until the final save that Mattia Perin made to turn it on to the upright,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“This is a crucial result, as it means we’ll go into the head-to-head with Napoli at least 13 points clear at the top of the table.
“We’re hoping to get some players back, although Douglas Costa is probably the only one who could recover. We’re glad that Napoli are coming up, because that is an important test for us just before Atletico.”
There were some tactical adjustments with Joao Cancelo in the trident attack and Federico Bernardeschi in midfield.
“It’s one game from the start and another when coming on for the last 20 minutes. I asked Cancelo to give us more width and he has more room there to push forward and make the most of his characteristics.”
Allegri was asked if some of these changes could be used for the second leg against Atletico Madrid on March 12.
“I’ll see if I get some divine inspiration. We could’ve done better in attacking between the lines, but the side we face in Turin will be very different. I think they’ll be even more defensive and clammed up, so we have to be more precise in our passing.”
Juve have looked sluggish for a while now and Allegri insists it has nothing to do with the January break.
“Miralem Pjanic has been coughing, sneezing and had a temperature for a week now. I actually asked him before he went on today if he could even breathe properly and he said yes.
“Giorgio Chiellini had half a game against Frosinone after that calf injury and then played in Madrid. The fitness levels will certainly improve over the next couple of weeks.
“I said we were fortunate that we aren’t playing Atleti again for a while, because I knew the condition of several players was not good and we can improve it.
“Of course, I don’t know that, it might be a disaster in the second leg, but I doubt it. I am optimistic and have faith we can turn this around.
“I tell the lads we need to put a few drops in the bottle every day and by the time we reach March 12, it’ll be pretty full.”