Massimiliano Allegri called for calm amidst Juventus’ poor form and underlined his desire for the players to ‘reverse this moment’ in their match with Frosinone.
The Bianconeri were putting up a fight with Inter in the title race this season, but everything changed in the build-up to their Derby d’Italia clash, when Allegri’s side suffered an unexpected draw with Empoli. The Old Lady then went on to lose the derby, falling behind their rivals.
Juventus still haven’t managed to rediscover their form since their derby defeat, losing to Udinese 1-0 and drawing Hellas Verona 2-2, leaving them nine points behind Inter, who still have a game in hand.
Speaking in a press conference via TMW, Allegri first discussed Juventus’ preparations ahead of the match with Frosinone.
“A good week of work like the others before the negative results. Now tomorrow we have a difficult match against a team that play well and create. Our goal is to win again.”
He was asked if new signing Carlos Alcaraz could play.
“I’m happy with what he’s doing. Tomorrow he can play. This year we played three similar games with Bologna, Sassuolo and Verona. Anything can happen in these games. Against Verona we did some good things, but we need to get back to being tidy and compact.”
The Juventus coach commented on how he’s tried to turn things around.
“To build you need to make an effort and make great sacrifices, but if you don’t have balance you risk getting hurt. For us it’s important to concentrate on what we have to do to qualify for the Champions League, then everything else doesn’t count.
“We have to concentrate on tomorrow’s match and score a certain number of points for the Champions League.”
Allegri was asked if Dusan Vlahovic would play against the Bianconeri.
“Tomorrow the best team will be on the pitch. I’ve already been through these moments and it’s up to us to reverse this moment. Nobody can give us a victory. Winning would make us see things in another way as always happens.
“We weren’t phenomena, and we haven’t become losers now. For us it’s an opportunity to grow. After tomorrow’s game there will be 12 games left where we have to score points for the Champions League.”
He was also asked if he’d sign a new contract in Turin.
“Right now, I wouldn’t sign anything, because I have a contract. Now we need to bring Juventus to the Champions League.”
The Juventus coach discussed Adrien Rabiot’s condition and the dangers of Atalanta and Bologna.
“In the Champions League race there’s Atalanta, Bologna, Roma and Lazio. There are many dangerous teams.
“Rabiot didn’t have a good game on Sunday and he knows it, but he scored a goal and provided a good ball to Vlahovic. I’m very happy with him. He will do three final months at his level.”
He spoke about the team’s new three-man frontline.
“We will work in the future to create a trident with Yildiz, Chiesa and Vlahovic. Even when we play with Cambiaso there, he’s an offensive player. We have conceded too many goals in the last few games and that’s not good.”
Allegri was asked if he had a starting line-up in mind to face Frosinone.
“I hope to get the line-up right. In this case I have important players on the bench, and I hope to sort out the line-up. Frosinone are a team that shoot a lot on goal with very technically good players.”
Finally, Allegri discussed his future at Juventus and his thoughts on Alcaraz.
“He is a technical player with a good shot. For me, he is an attacking midfielder. Juventus are a club that will be ready to plan the future, because Scanavino, Manna and Giuntoli will plan the future in the best possible way.
“I have to work on achieving of our goal and try to win tomorrow and overcome this moment.”