Juventus Coach Max Allegri is not worried about squad depth, but admits his defence needs some changes before the end of January.
The Coach and his Bianconeri emerged from a highly successful November, having won every game in the month.
However, an over-reliance on the same starters during an ongoing injury crisis has prompted concern that Juventus may suffer fatigue.
“There are options for changes,” countered Allegri in today’s Press conference looking ahead to tomorrow’s trip to Fiorentina.
Juventus Coach Max Allegri is not worried about squad depth, but admits his defence needs some changes before the end of January.
The Coach and his Bianconeri emerged from a highly successful November, having won every game in the month.
However, an over-reliance on the same starters during an ongoing injury crisis has prompted concern that Juventus may suffer fatigue.
“There are options for changes,” countered Allegri in today’s Press conference looking ahead to tomorrow’s trip to Fiorentina.
“We have [Sebastian] Giovinco up front, along with [Kingsley] Coman, and [Simone] Padoin can play in as right-back. I'll evaluate him in training today.
“There is [Roberto] Pereyra who can certainly change for one of the midfielders.
“We're doing quite well physically, so tomorrow we'll face the game with great determination.”
Allegri is convinced that Juventus are just as strong in terms of alternatives in the midfield.
“We have [Andrea] Pirlo, [Claudio] Marchisio, [Paul] Pogba, [Arturo] Vidal, Pereyra, and Padoin who can play in the midfield if necessary.
“We also have some of the strikers who can play as offensive midfielders – [Carlos] Tevez, Giovinco, Coman.
“Tevez skipped a few of the home games, and at Empoli. But I'll say it again, more or less everyone is doing fine.
“Of course I have to evaluate their conditions, so I'll do that this afternoon. After training I'll decide who's going to play tomorrow.
“Naturally [Alvaro] Morata wants to play too, all of the players that I train every day want to play.
“From [Simone] Pepe who only had 15 minutes of playing time to all the others that I have in the squad, like Coman, who has not been utilised much, to Giovinco himself.
“It's normal that things should be this way, and they have to be, because as I always say a match lasts 95 minutes and the subs from the bench are fundamental, all the more so because being able to swap three players means that those players, at that moment of the match, must play much better than the ones on the pitch.”
However, Allegri admitted that his squad was a bit short in defence.
“In terms of numbers, we've got no-one to spare in defence, because [Andrea] Barzagli is still out and we're hoping to have him back as soon as possible.
“[Kwadwo] Asamoah and Romulo have been lost for several months. [Martin] Caceres is working to come back and we're hoping that will be soon, hopefully as early as in the game against Sampdoria, and if not then, against Cagliari – but he will certainly play before [the Italian Supercup in] Doha.”
In spite of these weaknesses, Allegri bought time when discussing the mercato.
“We will see. The club is vigilant and knows what's needed, especially if our defensive numbers stay this way into January.
“For the moment we must think of playing tomorrow's match and the one on Tuesday, then we'll see. One thing at a time, we'll get to December 22 with some very clear ideas.”