Max Allegri explains what he told Juventus to inspire them to victory in Lecce, why he had ‘good omens’ about this trip and the importance of ‘little old fellas’ helping youth.

The Bianconeri notched up a third consecutive Serie A victory, but it certainly didn’t feel triumphant at the Stadio Via del Mare, especially as the pressure was piling on following their midweek Champions League group stage elimination.

It was 0-0 with relatively few chances for a team that made the trip without 10 injured players, until Samuel Iling Junior came off the bench to assist 21-year-old youth academy product Nicolò Fagioli’s curler into the top corner.

Fagioli was also a substitute, replacing Weston McKennie at half-time, and this was his debut Serie A goal.

“The lads did well, apart from the last and only shot Lecce had on target, where we were lucky they hit the post. We could’ve scored earlier and made the most of situations with more precise passes, did better after the break, but it was important to win after the heavy blow against Benfica,” Allegri told DAZN.

The coach had already talked about Fagioli as an impressive figure in the Juventus youth academy during his first tenure back in 2018.

“He has great quality, his natural role is to play in front of the defence, but he has never really played there, so he needs to learn the movements. Iling also give him a good assist, the youngsters did well supported by some of those little old fellas around them…

“Miretti played well, he had chances to score, Soule had his first start and did well. Fagioli was meant to come on when the tempo dropped to give us more quality.”

Juventus have been struggling this season and Allegri is under pressure, but explains how he is keeping the group focused.

“I told the lads today, in football, like in life, you fall down and get back up, the important thing is to have courage. It can’t always go badly, it’s too easy to be good when it’s going your way, you must be mentally strong and face down the storm, but also have that healthy bit of madness that inspires you. If we are too rational, we don’t get far. That madness must always be present.

“We hadn’t won three in a row since March, so it was not easy today. I had confidence also because October 29 is my son’s birthday. Also, I remember in 2011 we won away to Roma and this too was against a team in yellow and red, so I felt that was a good omen!”

Pavel Nedved said before kick-off that Juventus still have objectives this season, but Allegri set very small ones.

“I told the lads to reach 22 points, so for at least a bit we are in fifth place.”

5 thought on “Allegri on inspiring youth and ‘old fellas’ at Juventus”
  1. That is why the pub team of Europe pay the wise man of calcio the big bucks. Always on the front foot taking it to the opponents with Rainbow Six style tactics from the 19th Century. Behind the scenes, he is like Mozart, always conducting affairs with CALMAAA!!! and galvanising the troops with motivational zombienaccio therapy. Legend is the one they call PhD Max.

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