Allegri: ‘Long season ahead’ after Juventus beat Inter

Max Allegri outlines where Juventus have improved in their 2-0 victory over Inter, as they ‘work together and realise the game lasts 95 minutes,’ while he warns it could be a different season after the World Cup.

The Bianconeri were decimated by injuries, missing nine players including Dusan Vlahovic, Leandro Paredes and Weston McKennie, while Federico Chiesa and Angel Di Maria were only available for the closing stages.

Despite not having a single shot on goal in the first half, they came out fighting after the break and scored on two Filip Kostic counter-attacks, finished off by Adrien Rabiot and Nicolò Fagioli.

Danilo also hit the back of the net, but his volley was disallowed using VAR because it struck his fingertips.

“It was great to watch this game, especially as we were a little lucky in the first half, but when you have a pro-active attitude and work for your teammate, you are more likely to get a positive result,” Allegri told DAZN.

“The system has given the team more solidity, but the most important thing is that the team works together, defends behind the ball, understands when it’s time to suffer and that it lasts 95 minutes. Earlier in the season, we would play about 30 minutes and then drift off, but we are in it all the way now, even during tough moments. That is an important step.

“This is the right spirit and raises the level of competition within the squad.”

Juventus have kept four consecutive Serie A clean sheets and have the best defensive record in the league this season.

“The most satisfying thing is to beat Inter after three defeats and a draw in the last four. It was important to win a head-to-head match, we played well technically and only ran a risk with Rabiot’s error on a Lautaro Martinez chance. With this attitude, it is unlikely we concede goals.”

This result does allow Juve to leapfrog Inter in the table and move within four points of second-placed Milan, now level with Roma in fifth.

“The season is long, we had a few hiccups, above all in the Champions League. There is joy to beat a great side like Inter, but then we immediately need to get back the focus for the next two matches and at that point can draw a line under 2022.

“It is a long season ahead of us, Napoli are doing remarkably well and we’ll see what happens after the World Cup.”

Is Juve’s objective for this season the Scudetto or a top four finish?

“The objective is to do the best we possibly can. We mustn’t think that because of this victory all our problems are solved and the season is over. It is still one step at a time.”

Rabiot was on the verge of a move to Manchester United this summer, which only collapsed because of his salary demands, so did Allegri try to keep the France international in Turin?

“I talked to him before the supposed transfer, asked if he was happy and wanted to go. I told him he is respected at Juventus, that he has margin for improvement and he had a great performance this evening, as he worked for the team.”