Max Allegri insists Juventus showed their ‘inexperience’ in the 2-1 defeat to Napoli and shrugged off questions about his future. ‘Ask the agent what he meant, not me.’
The Bianconeri were wasteful at the Stadio Maradona, hitting the woodwork with Dusan Vlahovic and missing a couple of clear opportunities.
Federico Chiesa had been able to cancel out the Kvicha Kvaratskhelia volley, but substitute Joseph Nonge trod on Victor Osimhen’s foot for a penalty.
Although Wojciech Szczesny saved it, Giacomo Raspadori was quickest to the rebound for a 2-1 result.
It proved costly, especially as it was the first penalty awarded against Juventus in Serie A this season.
“The lads played very well, we had good scoring opportunities and didn’t take them. This is all part of the growth process, finding greater balance in the big games,” Allegri told DAZN.
“We are in a good position, we have 11 matches remaining to achieve our objective.”
They had made the trip with a reshuffled squad, as Adrien Rabiot, Weston McKennie, Mattia Perin, Moise Kean and Mattia De Sciglio were injured, so Carlos Alcaraz got his first start with Samuel Iling-Junior.
“Without McKennie and Rabiot, Alcaraz did really well in his first real game. Miretti has 60-odd games under his belt already, so is more experienced.
“I don’t think Napoli had many really clear-cut chances in front of Szczesny, whereas we did not make the most of our opportunities. We also got pig-headed trying to break through the centre rather than spreading it to wide areas.
“It is a regret that we leave empty-handed, but experience of playing at this level makes the difference. We should’ve been more wide awake in certain situations.
“It was one of the youngest Juventus starting XIs of all time, I think, and that means we are working well. Our objective is to help these young players to grow so that they will be ready next season.”
It was pointed out to Allegri that three Napoli players managed to sprint into the box on the penalty rebound, ahead of very experienced figures like Bremer and Alex Sandro.
“I am more sad than angry, they started the run from deep and we ought to do better. Szczesny saved a bad penalty, it would’ve been better to put it out for a corner.
“Now we have a head-to-head with Atalanta and we need to pick up points.”
Vlahovic will not be participating in that match, as he was booked for a foul on Kvaratskhelia and will be suspended, but missed several sitters as well as seeing the finish bounce off the inside of the post.
“This is football, there are moments when things go your way and others where luck is not on your side. We have to work on the performances, regardless of the results, and the lads absolutely must not let their heads drop. We are on track for our objective.”
Juventus are also in the Coppa Italia semi-final, but his agent Giovanni Branchini told Radio Deejay yesterday that ‘anything can happen’ with these owners. What did he mean?
“If you want to know what he meant, then invite him on here and ask him. I am very happy to be the coach of Juventus, but every year at this time the questions start. There is no Allegri problem here, we are on track for our objectives, but have not yet achieved them yet.
“I can only thank the lads for what they’ve done so far and we hope to give the club what was taken away from us last season. We’ll work hard and then see.”
Juve had finished in the top four last season, but were docked points over financial irregularities and then excluded by UEFA even from the Conference League.
5 – Napoli have won 5 home matches in a row v Juventus for the first time in their Serie A’s history.
Juventus have lost 5 away games in a row against a single opponent in Serie A for the first time since a streak of 6 v Fiorentina between 1960 and 1964.
Historic.#NapoliJuve
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) March 3, 2024