Massimiliano Allegri explains why he left Leonardo Bonucci out against Milan and how Juventus learned from defeat to Manchester United.
Mario Mandzukic’s header and a late Cristiano Ronaldo rebound secured their 2-0 result at San Siro, although Wojciech Szczesny saved a Gonzalo Higuain penalty.
Massimiliano Allegri explains why he left Leonardo Bonucci out against Milan and how Juventus learned from defeat to Manchester United.
Mario Mandzukic’s header and a late Cristiano Ronaldo rebound secured their 2-0 result at San Siro, although Wojciech Szczesny saved a Gonzalo Higuain penalty.
“We got right back on track after the defeat to Manchester United, which had shaken us. We did well to attack the game and that was the only way to set aside what happened in those final five minutes against Manchester United,” Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.
“We had a couple of risks here and Wojciech Szczesny was fortunately ready to make the saves. We are putting in some good performances, picking up some good wins.
“This was an important weekend for the league, as Inter lost in Bergamo and we remain at the same distance from Napoli, who are having an extraordinary season.”
Bonucci was expected to face his former teammates, but was instead left on the bench in a tense atmosphere.
“He needed to rest anyway and it just happened to be against Milan. Even on the bench he was pelted with insults from the Curva, so it was better this way.
“The defeat to Manchester United did us good, because tonight we had to win and keep a clean sheet. We lowered the tempo a little in the second half and I think we ought to try more shots from distance, as that keeps the pressure on the opposition. If we try to walk it into the net and get a bit too intricate, that can leave you open to the counter.
“Everyone who spoke to me after the Manchester game said we played well, but that doesn’t count if you don’t win. At times we still don’t do things that seem simple, but those are the things that need doing.
“When Mandzukic, Ronaldo and Dybala are in attack, naturally it’s going to be a little less ordered up there, but at the same time it also makes us less predictable for the opposition.
“We knew that we had more chances of causing Abate problems on the cross. Alex Sandro put a great cross on to the head of Mandzukic.
“Earlier this season, we tended to put the crosses in too low, but we’re starting to lift them more now and make the most of Mandzukic’s characteristics.
“Ronaldo is an atypical centre-forward, but still a centre-forward.”