Allegri: ‘It’s not a question of a virtual Juventus, we’ve made mistakes’

Massimiliano Allegri tried to find the right reaction for Juventus’ tough period ahead of their clash against Monza tomorrow.

The Bianconeri have started the season incredibly poorly, sitting 8th in the table after six games and losing their opening two Champions League games to Paris Saint-Germain and Benfica. Fans are growing increasingly tired of Allegri’s work but it’s also visible that the club are going through a serious injury crisis, with key figures like Paul Pogba and Federico Chiesa still unavailable.

Speaking at a press conference, Allegri first discussed what reaction he wants to see from his Juventus squad tomorrow.

“More than reaction you have to have great respect for Monza. In the matches they have played at home they have always done well, they got their first point in Serie A in Lecce. 

“They have good individuals, we must be more careful with respect to what are deficit situations. The goals we conceded we could’ve avoided. Markings and readings must be done better.”

He commented on his recent chat with Corriere della Sera journalist Mario Sconcerti and if the injury crisis can be explained by what happens on the training pitch.

“With respect to what was written this morning. That was a chat that was put down as an interview. It’s not a question of a virtual Juventus, if you put the best team on the pitch we don’t have that. That’s obvious to everyone. 

“I did an injury report: compared to last year we had 11 muscle injuries, last year 10. We played eight more games and we had McKennie, Pogba, Chiesa and other players who played more. We are always in question, we certainly made mistakes. I am the first and I make more mistakes than the others. In these moments you need a lot of focus. 

“If we had won against Benfica what would have been said? I’d have said that there were some things to improve. At this moment any explanations are useless. We lack results, in the Champions League we are behind, we lost to Benfica. In the league we are four points behind. 

“We cannot see everything as negative, we have to try to finish well tomorrow and then after the break we will recover some players. We must try to go to Lisbon to play a final. What is negative now can be positive in 20 days. 

“Last year we had problems with the flexors, this year with the adductors. We try to give ourselves an explanation for the injuries, but about the fact that the staff works well, there is no doubt.”

He tried to explain his decision not to implement a clear tactical system.

“I don’t want to become boring, but to give consistency to a system of play you have to have the players available. So far Di Maria has been out since August 20 and apart from him, Cuadrado, who can play on the right wing and no longer does it as before due to characteristics and age-related issues, I had to change. 

“But it’s not the system of play that is the problem, we have to limit the mistakes we make like on the first Benfica goal. It’s not the penalty itself, we had our own ball in the opponent’s area and we misjudged the ball and it went out. 

“This must be avoided, we concede too many goals easily. In Paris I said it straight away, sometimes it seems only I see things and then I worry about myself. Maybe I make mistakes and I question myself most of all.”

The Juventus coach commented on if Angel Di Maria and Wojciech Szczesny will start against Monza.

“Locatelli, Alex Sandro and Rabiot are not there. Szczesny is there but he’s not at his best, he still has discomfort on his foot, Perin will play. Di Maria will return from the first minute, I have to evaluate if Kean or Kostic will play. 

“We have a few changes with some guys, then I have to decide in defence who to play. Tomorrow is a good game to play, I’ll meet my good friend Galliani, together with the president it’s always a pleasure to see them. 

“They did an extraordinary thing by taking Monza to Serie A. But we need to win to have a good break.”

Allegri commented on what mistakes he might have made lately.

“Maybe I got some changes wrong, the formation, the preparation…. So many things.”

He spoke about if he feels detached from the team during periods like this.

“One thing I am sure of is that as usual these moments there are those who see them as negative and those like me who don’t, I always see an opportunity for improvement. If we win I see the area for improvement, when we lose it’s easy to see instead, they are more messy. 

“We don’t talk about the problems but about the solution. There is only to do, to play. I am confident because the team is well. Also the physical condition, after the goal we conceded in the first half we got going again with a reaction. 

“The second half we started well, then we didn’t make a challenge in the middle of the pitch and we conceded the goal. We have to perceive the danger a little more when we don’t have the ball. I’ve been through this before, the more we feel sorry for ourselves, the worse it is. 

“If you already see things in a proactive manner I think you work better. Then the results give you more peace of mind.”

The Juventus coach discussed any recent conversations with the club’s management.

“I missed the talks that I’d be dismissed, it was a lacking I felt. With the club we talk every day, we analyse. I always owe the club explanations, we have to think about working and doing because we can only improve anyway.”

Allegri did feel responsible for the club’s position.

“I am responsible. But you have read it wrong. You’re looking at it the wrong way round. In football if you win you’re a good guy, if you lose? Well…”

He did not seem too concerned about the prospect of dismissal.

“Because when there’s a result involved Allegri is in question. I am confident in what we are doing. Then it’s normal that the results judge my work and that of the staff. I’d say you have to be confident.”

Finally, Allegri discussed if things were more complicated now that he’s spoken about the performances from his players.

“We talked to the team. We can’t concede goals easily. We have spoken little with the team because in this moment here you have to think about doing. Tomorrow is difficult, Monza have changed coach and they played a good game in Lecce. 

“Then we have to face the break in the best possible way and face the second set of games with more players. 

“Confidence to continue the season and face this challenge that momentarily is impossible. Having said that, if they had given us ours we would be in a different position in the table. I’m not saying more than ours.”