Massimiliano Allegri is still seemingly adapting to Juventus’ new reality following their point deduction, calling the clash with Salernitana ‘a direct confrontation’.
The Bianconeri currently find themselves 13th in the Serie A table with 23 points, just 10 ahead of relegation candidates Hellas Verona and 15 behind fourth place candidates Lazio, Atalanta and Milan.
Juventus have not picked up a win in their last three league outings, drawing with Atalanta and losing to Monza and Napoli.
Speaking in a press conference, Allegri first discussed what pitfalls Juventus face in their clash with Salernitana.
“A complicated match, an environment driven by the fans and a team that is doing well with Nicola who is doing a great job.
“It’s important to face them with the right attitude, looking at the league table it’s a direct confrontation.”
He touched on the health of his Bianconeri squad.
“Apart from Bonucci who has had the flu for three days, Pogba the usual, Paredes has leg discomfort and won’t be there. The others will all be present.”
The Juventus coach spoke about the boos and insults sent to Mattia De Sciglio for his alleged involvement in the investigations into the club.
“He’s fine, I’ve spoken to him, and he’s calm. He’s serious, professional and a very good player.
“Social media? It’s a screen behind which thousands of people hide, unfortunately this is how the world works. You have to accept it without giving it importance.”
Allegri was asked if Dusan Vlahovic needs to play from the start against Salernitana and his options up front.
“Hardly, no, I haven’t decided yet, but I will make the assessments. Physically he is also well, he is much lighter and more dynamic than when he arrived, let’s hope he scores tomorrow.
“We also have Kean who is well, leaving him out remains very difficult for me. He has become very important, he has grown mentally and technically. He’s becoming, he’s still not 100%, an important player. I’m happy, he’s changed compared to last year.
“Does he need to play? I don’t make players play because they need to play, but to win games.
“Vlahovic has never been as physical as he is now, not even when he arrived from Fiorentina. He has a lighter touch, he needs to score goals.”
He refused to give his team any goals for the Serie A table.
“To give ourselves goals now is unthinkable. Now we have to reach the team ahead of us and climb slowly.
“Tomorrow, we have to win because in the last three league games we’ve only scored one point.”
The Juventus coach touched on the growth of talented youngster Nicolo Fagioli.
“He has grown a lot. At a time when many players were missing, I put in young players who gave important responses.
“Fagioli has played many games, as has Miretti and all the others.”
Finally, Allegri was asked how he conveyed to his players the importance of tomorrow’s clash with Salernitana.
“The fact is that we have 23 points. We have to reach 40 points which avoids relegation, it makes me laugh, but that’s how it is. The first objective is to catch those ahead of us.”