Massimiliano Allegri highlighted that not all the pressure was on Dusan Vlahovic’s shoulders ahead of Juventus’ match against Hellas Verona.
The 22-year-old Serbian star made the move to Turin from Fiorentina in an €80m transfer last week. He is expected to be the main man in the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era in the Piedmont capital, but Allegri is preaching calm.
Speaking in a press conference today, Allegri first discussed how Juventus have changed following the new signings.
“The club has done a great job and two important players have arrived. Vlahovic has scored a lot of goals and has characteristics we didn’t have and we needed him, along with Haaland he’s one of the best centre-forwards in the role. Zakaria is an intelligent player.
“They fitted in immediately, we’ll see tomorrow if I’ll play them. I thank Bentancur and Kulusevski for what they have given, I wish them the best for their careers.
“The arrival of these two players makes everyone more responsible, the objectives don’t change and we need to be in the top four. This is the most important part of the season, we don’t have any more chances to recover.”
He touched on if a front three featuring Vlahovic alongside Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata would be seen tomorrow.
“The three up front can play or not, but if they play they have to run. The advantage is that we have much more quality up front, but we must never lose the balance of the team.
“The biggest risk for tomorrow is that we play a team that is doing a great job, in the last four games Juve have never beaten Verona, and then the arrival of Vlahovic and Zakaria increases the enthusiasm which is fine but there is a risk of going off the rails.”
The Italian coach commented on where Denis Zakaria can play in the Juventus midfield.
“I saw him during the week, in the match he played inside and did well. Tomorrow is a special game, we have McKennie back this morning and he’ll be available, Cuadrado yesterday and he’ll be available.
“Locatelli is out, Bonucci has had two training sessions and won’t be in the game. Alex Sandro is negative and will be available on Monday. Zakaria can play in two roles, he has a good interception, long balls. A good signing.”
Allegri discussed the importance of Vlahovic’s arrival in Turin.
“With the arrival of Vlahovic the responsibilities are distributed equally. They are not all on Vlahovic’s shoulders, not at all. He’s 22 years old, he scored a lot of goals at Fiorentina, he wants to do well at Juventus.
“But the responsibilities are everyone’s. Calmly, with balance, we need to improve the percentage of goals scored up front. We’ve worked well with the break, from tomorrow the period starts from March 20 until the next break.”
He touched the changing nature of the team.
“It was very good of the club to work quickly, they gave me and the fans a gift. Juventus is always working to build the future, the fourth and fourth arrivals were a step forward.
“Clearly this is not the end of the story, then in June there will be another market but now we have to think about playing.”
The former Milan coach gave his thoughts on Vlahovic as a person.
“He’s a smart, intelligent kid who wants to improve. It’s a big jump for him, at Juve there are different pressures but he has a great desire to improve.”
Allegri discussed Aaron Ramsey and his loan move to Rangers.
“Ramsey is a great player who has had physical problems. In agreement with him we decided it was right to go and play somewhere else.
“Gatti is the best defender in Serie B and has characteristics that can be useful for Juve in the future.”
The Juventus coach spoke about the value of Dejan Kulusevski and Simone Inzaghi’s suggestions that the Bianconeri are still involved in the title race.
“Kulusevski played good games but then there are the market evaluations. You can’t keep everyone, the players who have come through Juventus are all good but then choices have to be made.
“Then, also from an economic point of view, the best choices were made. Inzaghi is right to say that, but it’s difficult for us to get into the Scudetto, Inter are out of reach. I don’t know about the others, Simone says so out of superstition, it’s fine.”
He touched on what impressed him about Vlahovic.
“I was impressed by the desire of a player who wants to improve. He wants to work all day, that’s what you need to achieve results.”
Finally, Allegri discussed Roma talent Nicolo Zaniolo.
“We’re trying to get to June… You’re unbelievable, this market isn’t even finished yet. It’s not right to talk about him because he’s a player from another team.”
Juventus, Allegri: "Vlahovic-Dybala-Morata? Se vogliono giocare insieme devono correre" https://t.co/5XGJI3lIyM
— TUTTOmercatoWEB (@TuttoMercatoWeb) February 5, 2022
Did he complain?
Idiotic man looking for excuses not to utilize Vlahovic to the fullest.
I think that’s another way of saying that he will keep playing defensive football Lol.