Max Allegri used the fightback to beat Cagliari 2-1 in order to defend Juventus performances in losses to Inter and Villarreal. ‘Everyone praised our performance, after conceding it was called a disaster!’
The Bianconeri were in dire need of a boost after the home defeat to Inter ruled them out of the Scudetto race, so it was the worst possible start when going a goal down to Joao Pedro’s counter-attack.
However, a Matthijs de Ligt header from a corner and Dusan Vlahovic meeting a Paulo Dybala through ball turned it around for a 2-1 result in Sardinia.
Serie A | Cagliari 1-2 Juventus: Vlahovic turnaround in Sardinia
“I don’t like losing, so I prefer criticism when we play badly, but still win. Nobody remembers the performance last Sunday, they only remember Inter marching towards the Scudetto, not how anybody played,” Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.
“You never know, they might transform tonight’s game too. The comical thing is that you in the media are always going on about beautiful football, but are also the first to focus only on the result!
“I was told that until the 75th minute against Villarreal, all the websites and social media were praising the Juventus performance. Once we conceded, Juventus were called a disaster.
“That doesn’t make sense. The performance remains the same, the only thing that changed was the result. I enjoy myself hearing the criticism, but every now and then some go a bit over the top and that irritates me.
“It’s not just about us, but football in general. I hope in future years people will return to talking about the ABC of football, like the first touch, shaking off your marker, etc. Italy won the World Cup four times, we have our style, but for 15 years we’ve been chasing after Pep Guardiola’s style and didn’t realise he’s changed as well.”
There was also a goal disallowed because Luca Pellegrini’s effort was deflected in off Adrien Rabiot’s elbow, which when directly leading to a goal is considered handball regardless of intention or having the arm in a natural position.
Dybala was about to be substituted by Moise Kean, but then delayed it by a good 20 minutes, during which La Joya set up Vlahovic’s winner.
“He made a few vital contributions, including the assist. If the game had more of a tempo, he would’ve struggled with the intensity, but he grew over the course of the game.
“I am in love with players who have a great touch, who control the ball well. I am old-fashioned that way and think we need to teach that more in the youth academies.
“Why did I delay the change? I am lucky too, you know.”
The question marks were nonetheless raised because Dybala has not been offered a new contract by Juventus and will be released as a free agent.
“It ends because there are stories that begin and end. It happens between men and women, it happens between clubs and coaches or players.
“This is part of life. The club was clear, we evaluate everything together, so this decision was made. On the other hand, Paulo is working very hard, he had a lot of injuries and is not yet the Dybala we know, so he can give a lot more in the final weeks.
“He is proving himself to be an excellent professional, just like the other players who will or won’t renew their contracts.”
Allegri had said before this match that he expected a terrible game and a tough test for Juventus, so was he trying to stave off a potential psychological collapse?
“We lost a head-to-head with Inter that would’ve allowed us to have Scudetto ambitions. We need to be realistic. I continue to maintain Inter are the favourites, especially with their fixture list.
“Naturally, it’s going to shake a team when you chase down the light at the end of the tunnel for 16 games and then it vanishes. That is why this was a very risky match, especially with players injured and suspended.
“We needed to win this evening to consolidate fourth place, reaching the final two rounds with a good advantage.”