Massimiliano Allegri admits Juventus were “a little bit tired” against Genoa, and reveals Gianluigi Buffon will return to training this week.
The Bianconeri won 1-0 tonight to move back to within a point of Napoli at the top of Serie A, but their laboured performance drew groans from the crowd at the Allianz Stadium. Click here for a full match report.
Massimiliano Allegri admits Juventus were “a little bit tired” against Genoa, and reveals Gianluigi Buffon will return to training this week.
The Bianconeri won 1-0 tonight to move back to within a point of Napoli at the top of Serie A, but their laboured performance drew groans from the crowd at the Allianz Stadium. Click here for a full match report.
“We were a little bit tired at the end of the game, more than being anxious about the result,” Allegri admitted in his post-match interview with Premium Sport.
“There was the desire to get a result at home and we worked very hard during the week.
“It was important to win to stay in Napoli’s slipstream, and start again after the break.
“It’s a challenge to ourselves, winning a seventh Scudetto would be extraordinary, beyond legendary, so we have to do well and wait for the right moment.
“The lads worked really hard during the week, and that workload made it difficult tonight. At the same time though, we didn't give Genoa anything.
“Edin Dzeko to Chelsea? I don’t know, let’s chase down Napoli and keep the others behind us.”
Partenopei Coach Maurizio Sarri claimed Juventus have an advantage in the coming weeks, as they’re playing before Napoli.
“It’s not up to me when we play, I won’t reply to Sarri who should be happy with the result [against Atalanta] and being top of the league.
“It’s a beautiful duel at the moment, I have nothing more to say. There are bodies who can respond to this, I don't understand how the calendar works.”
Gigi Buffon missed out again today, but the Coach says he’ll return to the squad this week.
“He’ll return in the week, he’s ready to return and so are others,” Allegri confirmed.
“He’s the starter, even if [Wojciech] Szczesny is having an important season.
“Mario Mandzukic? He had an excellent match, as did others. [Gonzalo] Higuain played for the team too, he could have scored and was unlucky.
“He put in a good performance and I’m sure he’ll be back among the goals soon.”
Juve have conceded just one goal in their last 12 games, having started the season looking uncharacteristically porous.
“They [the defenders] are doing well, as are [Andrea] Barzagli and [Daniele] Rugani. There are times when two will play more than others, but the whole team works in the defensive phase, if they didn’t we’d have problems.”