Max Allegri hails Juventus for an ‘extraordinary defensive performance’ under siege from Fiorentina to snatch victory, but reiterates they are not looking to the Scudetto.
The Bianconeri scored early against the run of play when Fabio Miretti got in front of Lucas Martinez Quarta to tap in the Filip Kostic assist at the near post from six yards.
That was practically the only attack Juve had at the Stadio Franchi, other than an Andrea Cambiaso header on the counter in stoppages, leaving here with 30 per cent possession and surviving 25 attempts on goal.
“Fiorentina are always complicated to play against, as they attack, they move around, but the lads put in a great performance,” Allegri told DAZN.
“We scored the goal, suffered more in the first half, in the second Szczesny didn’t have to make a single save, despite all the crosses.
“The regret is that once we beat their first press, we didn’t make the most of those potential counter-attacking situations when the spaces opened up.”
It was said at the start of the season that this was a more attacking Juventus side, but that seems to have been replaced very quickly by the spirit of sacrifice that Allegri prefers.
“Games must also be won with suffering, with good defending. We needed Kostic to go a little deeper to be on the same level as Rugani to block off Nico Gonzalez, which wasn’t done enough in the first half.
“Fiorentina played a very good game and we can only tip our hats to them. We defended remarkably well in the box and there was only really one risk, that Rugani clearance on the cross. It reminded me of one Andrea Barzagli made in Juventus-Genoa, taking it off the head of the striker behind him.
“Daniele was bound to struggle when he had Chiellini, Barzagli and Bonucci in front of him, but when he was called upon, he played well. He does better with Bremer next to him too. Rugani, Bremer and Gatti can defend in open ground, but they are learning to defend in the box better now too.”
Miretti finally got his first goal in the Juventus jersey, having experienced a few close calls.
“I am happy for Fabio, as he is criticised sometimes for his performances, when we need to wait for young players to mature and help them through a few errors in the learning process.”
The result still puts Juventus comfortably clear in second place, only two points off leaders Inter, because this weekend Milan, Atalanta, Lazio and Fiorentina all lost.
Inter and Juve will go head-to-head after the break for international duty, though as usual Allegri insists the Scudetto is not on their minds.
“We must always look forwards, but that doesn’t mean the Scudetto. Inter, Milan and Napoli are better equipped, they are more consolidated, whereas we are creating a side with some young and inexperienced players.
“The Inter game means nothing, it is a very long season and we have to work on improving our weaknesses. Inter have been built for years to win the Scudetto regardless of the title race, it is always Inter-Juve.
“Before that, we have Cagliari, who are back on track with three wins in a row.”