Massimiliano Allegri insisted Juventus” data-scaytid=”3″>Juventus “played to win, but it wasn’t easy” after their 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid.
Massimiliano Allegri insisted Juventus “played to win, but it wasn’t easy” after their 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid.
“We played to win, but we didn’t achieve it,” the Coach told Sport Mediaset.
“We knew the strengths and weaknesses of this team and of Atletico, so allowed them very few chances. They only threatened with the goal and a chance in the first half.
“It is very difficult to play against Atletico, as they close up the spaces and hit you on the counter. We created several positive situations, but could not get the goal.”
Juve did not have a single shot on target, despite holding possession for 62 per cent of the game, and Allegri was irritable when questioned about the performance.
“We tried to win. It was not easy. We tried by controlling the ball to limit Atletico Madrid’s strength, which is playing in bursts, knocking down the ball and on set plays.
“We limited them for 60-odd per cent of the game, but the one time we made a mistake on the loose ball, we conceded a goal.”
Allegri was asked why Juventus took such a negative approach in Madrid when they were far more attacking away to Milan and Atalanta” data-scaytid=”21″>Atalanta in Serie A.
“Atletico defend very well and concede few goals, then make a lot of fouls and create chaotic situations in sudden flashes. We could not have left ourselves open to those counter-attacks, so we had to control the ball, even if that meant not pushing quite as hard forward.
“In the second half we had periods where we did not play well on a technical level and therefore did not create as many chances as we could have.”
Arrigo Sacchi was in the studio and critical of their negative approach, which annoyed Allegri.
"Every time we seem to see different games. We have a different concept of football. Maybe you just prefer the way Atletico Madrid play. I don't know what to do about that."
Juventus are still top of Serie A with a 100 per cent record and face Roma in a head-to-head on Sunday.
“Juve arrive in good shape, as we won all five in Serie A and still haven’t conceded there. It will certainly be a great game and tonight’s defeat will not change the atmosphere in the team.
“After all, only a victory tonight would’ve put a big building block on qualification and Malmo’s win means it is perfectly balanced.”