Max Allegri urges Juventus players and fans to ‘accept the referee’s decisions’ after the 1-0 defeat to Napoli, assuring they will ‘be right back up there fighting for the Scudetto next season.’
It was a chaotic match in Turin, as the Bianconeri had two goals disallowed before Giacomo Raspadori was left unmarked at the back post for a perfect volley on the Eljif Elmas cross.
The first had Angel Di Maria’s counter-attack pulled back by VAR for an Arkadiusz Milik foul on Stanislav Lobotka, then Federico Chiesa pulled the ball out of play before he could set up Dusan Vlahovic’s tap-in.
This represents Juve’s third consecutive Serie A defeat, the worst run since 2010-11 under Gigi Delneri, and leaves them in third place behind Lazio.
“It’s disappointing to lose a game like that, but we should’ve done better on the goal. We just stopped playing and absolutely need to do better in that sense,” Allegri told DAZN.
Curiously, the Bianconeri seemed to struggle more after introducing Chiesa and Di Maria.
“At that moment we needed technically-gifted players who could take men on. Chiesa will be in better shape next season, we knew that was going to happen after such a serious injury. Milik did really well, I had to rest Vlahovic after Thursday.
“It was a good performance, that remains, we conceded a goal like dummies. It’s simple, just look at the move, we are at the 93rd minute and ought to have bodies into the box to defend.
“This is part of the growth process for players, something we take for granted. We were too slow and static in reacting to the ball in that situation.
“Napoli are a strong side and are about to win the Scudetto, it’s sad, but we still have an advantage over the others in the race for the top four. We are still in the Europa League and Coppa Italia semi-finals.”
There were some scuffles that broke out after the goal, as Juventus were irritated by the decisions, specifically the two disallowed goals.
“We need to stay calm, accept as we always have done the refereeing decisions – good or bad. Otherwise we waste energy, because we cannot change the result now.
“The referee was very good today, I congratulate him on his performance.”
It had until now been the ideal week for Juve, who reached thee Europa League semi-final and partially won the appeal against a 15-point Serie A penalty, although that could yet return pending a new trial.
They have now lost three Serie A games in a row and are gearing up for the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final against Inter.
“I think Napoli absolutely deserved the Scudetto. We had some difficulties this season, especially after the 15-point penalty. We’ve still got a lead over Milan and Inter, so now we must pick up the points we are missing.”
What would be the best target for Juventus this season?
“I think the lads need praise, as they have had a really good season. I hear so much talk and people really don’t know anything, it makes me laugh. This is a surreal situation we were in and the lads were marvellous.
“This is a season that will help us grow a great deal and next year we’ll be right back up there fighting for the Scudetto.”