Max Allegri takes ‘responsibility for getting the substitutions wrong’ in the 1-1 draw with Milan, but also bitterly criticised his Juventus stars. ‘You need to be tough, determined, keep focused and bring home the result.’
The Bianconeri had dominated the first half, taking control through an Alvaro Morata counter-attack, but the Rossoneri amid an injury crisis still grew as the game wore on and equalised through an Ante Rebic header.
Pierre Kalulu even had the chance to win it for the visitors late on, denied by a Wojciech Szczesny reaction save.
“Despite a good first half, when we created chances and allowed Milan just one opportunity, we even risked defeat at the end of a game that had been under total control,” Allegri told DAZN.
“Unfortunately, we lost that concentration, determination and focus. Just look at the corner where we conceded the goal, there was complacency. It’s not possible to give this game away after being in control. Evidently, we need to make more progress. A lot more.”
This is the first time in 60 years that Juventus have failed to win the opening four rounds of the Serie A season, and they now sit in 18th place, overtaken even by Hellas Verona.
After this dismal star, can the Bianconeri still be considered Scudetto contenders?
“This game doesn’t change anything in my view of Juventus. What we need to learn quickly is that there are games when you need to be tough, you have to be determined, to bring home the tackle, keep focused. This is part of the general growth process of some players,” continued the coach.
“I will admit that I made mistakes on the substitutions, I got it wrong. I should’ve put more defensive players on and put the 1-0 lead under lock and key, so I take responsibility for that.”
Juve have now lost seven points from leading situations this season, having broken the deadlock against Udinese, Napoli and Milan, and have not scored any Serie A goals in the second half.
Allegri had also said in yesterday’s press conference that the game was more important for Milan than Juventus, which many saw as a bluff.
“It was important to get a positive result and we did. A defeat would’ve not definitively left us behind Milan, but a big advantage, now it is easier to bridge,” he insisted.
“The problem is that winning a game is one thing, winning a league is another, and that means not conceding goals due to errors like that. We can draw games if the other team does better, not if we give it away.
“There were some positives, in other words the first half, but what makes me angry are the final 15 minutes. We should’ve suffered more, been ready to fight tooth and nail. At those moments, you can’t look at being aesthetically beautiful, you just take the result home, even if it’s ugly.”
Allegri was visibly angry and stormed off at the final whistle, still clearly tense during his post-match interview with the television stations.
“Fortunately the referee blew the final whistle, because we frankly risked defeat here. If you don’t realise that you must put all personal issues aside, work as a full-back even if you’re a striker, then you won’t bring these results home. All we’ll remember is that we threw away two points.
“I know you lot love talking about tactical systems, but when you are in front with 15 minutes to go, having practically not allowed Milan any shots on target, the system is irrelevant. You can be disorganised, but you need to be determined. If we take this attitude, it’s unlikely we can win the league.”