Max Allegri explains where Juventus still need to improve after their 1-1 draw with Napoli, but insists they were not held by a decimated side. ‘They were missing four first choice players.’

The Bianconeri were arguably the less impressive side in Turin, despite facing a Napoli team missing nine players and their coach through COVID, injuries, suspension and Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Federico Chiesa’s deflected strike cancelled out the Dries Mertens opener, but the Partenopei had more possession and largely controlled the initiative.

“It was a head-to-head for position and Napoli were missing four first choice players, we were missing six last time, so these things happen,” Allegri told DAZN.

Serie A | Juventus 1-1 Napoli: Chiesa cancels out Mertens strike

“We had the chances to take the lead, but were a little imprecise and hasty in the final third. We got back on level terms and then were hasty again.

“We have to see this in positive terms, as a point gained. I’d like to see more calm and focus in the final third, but some of it is also to do with the characteristics of the players.

“Napoli have some excellent passers, we have some areas where we need to improve, but overall it was a good performance.”

Federico Bernardeschi was used on the right, but then switched with Chiesa on the left, while the midfielders again failed to make much of an impact when attacking.

“Seeing as Faouzi Ghoulam only played 34 minutes this season, it was normal to put Chiesa against him with that kind of pace and aggression. After the equaliser, we went too quickly for the long ball and needed more patience,” explained Allegri.

“We ought to score a few more goals, but we got Chiesa on target, did better with set play situations and had that chance with Weston McKennie, so we’re getting there.”

Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata average circa 11 goals per season at Juventus, so they are hardly the hitmen who can fill in for Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Rabiot did better in the first half, we should’ve had more attacking moves from the midfielders and above all sharpness in the final third, when picking the right final pass. We are fifth in the table, but scored only 28 goals, so we know it’s something we have to work on.

“The lads were aggressive, concentrated, we just need to improve that aspect where we have the game in hand and can be patient. We shouldn’t keep going for the long ball or trying to rush our way forward, it’s about passing and getting there.”

14 thought on “Allegri: ‘Juventus too hasty, but Napoli almost full-strength’”
  1. Koulibaly – Fabian Ruiz – Anguissa – Osimhen – Mario Rui

    That’s 5 starters I believe, so half the team!

  2. This my juve team is worst, Napoli missing several key players, we are still playing rubbish football 😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠

  3. LMAO the mighty Juventus cannot even defeat a severely depleted Napoli side, who looked more dangerous every time they went forward. JUAN JESUS.😂

    New year same issues. They started well and credit where credit is due, they moved the ball quicker going backwards and sideways with no clue what to do in the final third.

    At least Chiesa might leave once a Europa League place has been secured and you have to feel for their second best player in Cuadrado. Seeing Mcawful and Kean miss absolute sitters without even getting their respective headers on target sums up the villagers from Piedmont.

  4. Shout out to the Dutch Phil Jones for doing his tap dancing on the goal line and the ball still going between his legs. Cumbersome, shown no improvement in the three years and yet Rugani is the one that cannot be trusted lol.

  5. Dear clown – the so-called Dutch Phil Jones is wanted by almost every top side on Europe. As for tap dancing, maybe open your eyes as you’ll see he would have cleared it had Szczesny not fingettipped the ball. When Juventus rises to the top again and dominates once more, and you and I know that’s a certainty, then you’ll crawl under the rock you came from for another 10 years.

  6. Y’all got to chill. Juve did well . Just got to be more clinical in front. Westons glancing header in the first half. Moise right at the end. Please , Napoli is lucky to come away with a draw . Juve is coming around

  7. They missed Koulibaly the best player and another 2 key in Anguissa and Osimhen
    And still could have won
    Juve can be threatened by villareal, what a season they have

  8. Dear Crankie the answer is Raiola, a master at marketing and getting the profit. Also he is young and if another club wants to make the mistake so be it. It will be Maguire 2.0

    What is spectacular about the Juve incompetence is that without a top four finish, he can go even cheaper as books will need to be balanced (for once) and clubs will come in lower knowing that you will be desperate. As for the tap dancing you can find more footage from the Euro’s (Czech Republic). He had time to adjust and your keeper is also to blame as the shot was not even that powerful. You certainly are not rising to the top next year as who wants to come and play Europa League football lol. Another season without CL glory LMAO.

    Chiesa needs to leave asap in order to fulfil his true greatness. As for Cuadrado I feel for him as when you have donkeys around you, all your hard work is for nothing.

  9. Those who said Juve’s performance was bad in this game are def haters who are blind or plainly stupid. Juve’s vastly improving and their performance in the first half was great. @Lord Clown above me, mind your own team, Clown. It’s funny to see your fear that Juve’s going to bounce back and all you can do is trolling here like a pathetic jobless man.

  10. Amazing quote from the highest paid coach in the league, managing the highest paid team in the league.

    Napoli only missed 4 players, so a draw was good for us.”

    Ha ha ha, please stay forever you beautiful dinosaur lol.

  11. The over the top criticism is getting dull at this stage. It was a very entertaining game of football, played at pace and with quality by both teams. Napoli proved that they are still a good team and Juve played very well.

  12. Lord Allegri, once again, you clearly did not watch the game as you would have seen that De Ligt was not at fault for the goal. Most papers rated his a performance a 7 so hardly a Phil Jones performance. I know it hurts you that he is on Juve’s roster but the reality is that only Juve has the pull and pedigree to attract players of his and Ronaldo’s standing which brings attention to our league.
    Maybe do you running at the mouth when the season ends lest you get egg on your face. As for Chiesa, he’ll be a lifelong player at Juve.

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