Max Allegri insists 10-man Juventus must see the glass half-full after drawing with Empoli and reiterates Inter are ‘the strongest team in Serie A and the absolute Scudetto favourites.’
The Bianconeri had won seven in a row between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, hoping to go four points clear of Inter at least for tonight before the Nerazzurri visit Fiorentina.
Those plans were ruined when Arkadiusz Milik saw red after just 18 minutes following a VAR on-field review for his studs-up tackle on Alberto Cerri’s ankle.
Dusan Vlahovic had still put Juve in front, but Tommaso Baldanzi’s low drive squirmed into the far bottom corner to give Empoli a point.
“My sensation is that the team played well, we were down to 10 men after basically 15 minutes and still tried to win the game. We had some good chances, including one where Cambiaso slipped clear on goal,” Allegri told DAZN.
“This is football, it’s disappointing, but the red card rather complicated our plans and Empoli made it complicated already.”
Milik had lost the ball with a poor first touch and tried to make up for it, going into the lunge on Cerri.
“These things happen in football, it was a pity to go down to 10 men. Milik had been doing well in Serie A and the Coppa Italia, the idea was to use his physicality on the crosses against a closed-down Empoli.
“That was not what happened, but it went well anyway, because we continue the unbeaten run and it would’ve been far more painful for us to lose at home than draw.”
It means Inter can retake top spot on Sunday with a win away to Fiorentina, with a game in hand still to be played against Atalanta, going into the February 4 showdown at San Siro.
Milik will be suspended for that match following today’s red card, the first dismissal of the season for the Bianconeri. Will Federico Chiesa and Adrien Rabiot be fit to feature?
“Chiesa and Rabiot are doing better, they should be available next week, but it’s not about the Inter game. We have to reach the end of May in the top four.
“Nobody expected us to be in this position at the start of the season and a draw should not cause us to drop our heads or lose confidence. You cannot win every game.”
Allegri was asked why 18-year-old sensation Kenan Yildiz did not come on earlier in the match.
“He could’ve come on earlier and then we might’ve lost, then who would you blame? You cannot build houses on what ifs. Getting a point today was very important.
“The Derby d’Italia is always marvellous to participate in, the stadium will be packed and we will go there trying to get a result against what is I repeat the best team in Italy and the clear favourites to win the Scudetto.”
After seeming to open up to the idea that Juventus are in the Scudetto race, Allegri has now gone back to depicting them as underdogs.
“In football, you have to take it one game at a time. Everyone thought Juventus would easily beat Empoli today, but that didn’t happen. The unknown is always round the corner and you must be ready for anything.
“It is the first time this season we were down to 10 men and we had to deal with that.”
Inter were offended by some of Allegri’s snide comments in interviews and press conferences.
“I understand my Livorno sense of humour irritates some people. It’s fortunate they don’t come to Livorno, because it’s our normal way of doing things that we make fun of each other. I am sorry if I hurt someone’s sensibility.”
Vlahovic cannot seem to stop scoring at the moment and is certainly a bright spot for Juventus.
“He is a player who is growing, in good shape physically and no longer has that lumbago issue, which is fundamental. He has gained confidence, is more balanced and no longer wastes energy getting angry during a game, so he has to keep going like that.”
Moise Kean is reported to be on the verge of a loan move to Atletico Madrid. Allegri was asked if the striker will stay at Juventus.
“I don’t know. He is back in training and the club will decide in the final days of the transfer window.”
Juve, Allegri: "Domenica giochiamo contro i favoriti. La mia livornesità dà fastidio a qualcuno…"
https://t.co/dzO8jgiFiU— FcInterNews.it (@FcInterNewsit) January 27, 2024