Allegri: ‘Juventus need confidence’

Max Allegri discusses the transfer market and says Juventus need ‘confidence’ to progress, as he anticipates ‘two great matches’ against Borussia Dortmund.

The 47-year-old’s team is currently leading in the Serie A standings and set to compete in the Last 16 of the Champions League.

Max Allegri discusses the transfer market and says Juventus need ‘confidence’ to progress, as he anticipates ‘two great matches’ against Borussia Dortmund.

The 47-year-old’s team is currently leading in the Serie A standings and set to compete in the Last 16 of the Champions League.

Despite this, a few days ago President Andrea Agnelli stated that Italian clubs cannot compete with the resources in foreign Leagues, and his Coach has backed the necessity of being realistic when looking at the mercato.

“I'd like to have a €15m villa, but if I can't afford it I have to look for an apartment that I like,” said Allegri in an interview with La Stampa.

“Though in reality we're dealing with a villa, it just has a particular situation behind it.

“The club’s objective is to raise the technical level of Juventus.”

The former Milan tactician touched on a variety of topics in his interview, including the Champions League and the Juventus experience.

“I don't know how it's going to end against Borussia Dortmund, who are a great team. But we'll certainly play two great matches.

“I feel a juventino since I set foot here. Here you have 12 million supporters, everyone else has their team and then roots against us.

“I'm an evolutionist. I found a team that worked in a certain way, winning three Scudetti and two Supercups, and that needed to undergo an important passage.

“Saying that everything's going smoothly would be presumptuous, but we're on the right path.

“The Supercup [lost to Napoli] does not spoil five months of work, though I'm regretful about the way it went, as we had three decisive opportunities.

“But our targets were the League, where we are leading, and qualifying for the next stage of the Champions League. The Supercup came later.”

Allegri was also asked to what extent he is involved with the club's internal policy.

“I said this a thousand times, the assistant director of a business is the person who does that kind of thing, because he must bring in resources. As a Coach, I must bring in results.

“In football, people think that others prepare the formation for you or that you accept everything the club says. It doesn't work that way.

“Aside from the Premier League, being a Coach-cum-manager doesn't mean buying 15 different players, but being aware of marketing and finance issues.

“There are Coaches that are well educated and those who base themselves on intuition, but that doesn't mean renouncing to using reason.

“It's just that instinct is the solution in the fleeting moment, so it becomes essential. This is a group that has considerable technical, physical and tactical means, but it needs confidence.

“There is a subtle line between confidence and conceit. But confidence does lead you to achieving results beyond all expectations. And that's what we need in the Champions League.”