Massimiliano Allegri confirms that he has no problems with vice president Pavel Nedved and warns his players not to take the fourth place for granted.
The Bianconeri host Bologna at the Allianz Stadium tomorrow. They have issues in midfield, where Denis Zakaria and Adrien Rabiot are the only players available. Danilo could be deployed in the middle of the park if Allegri picks a three-man midfield.
“First of all, I wish a speedy recovery to Sinisa [Mijalovic], who unfortunately won’t be there tomorrow,” Allegri said at a press conference.
“We have worked well this week. Bologna are in a good moment. They picked up a draw with Milan and won the last home game.
“Six games are remaining, including the last two against teams right behind us in the table. Fiorentina have the best fixture list. We need to collect at least ten more points to make it into the top four. We’ll think about the Coppa Italia from tomorrow.”
Has he made up his mind on who will play in midfield and whether Leonardo Bonucci will start?
“Leonardo is feeling well, but only one between him and Chiellini will play because we have a Coppa Italia match on Wednesday, so I’ll decide who starts tomorrow.
“Cuadrado has extended his contract. He feels well. I only have two midfielders [Denis Zakaria and Adrien Rabiot], so I’ll need to add someone if I pick a three-man midfield. I haven’t decided yet.”
The Bianconeri have one last chance to lift a piece of silverware this season, but must qualify for the Coppa Italia final. They host Fiorentina in the semi-final second leg next week after winning the first match in Florence last month.
“Right now, we could be happy about the season. We are still not in the top four, which was the target at the beginning of the campaign. We are fourth, but six games are remaining,” Allegri continued.
“I am happy with the team’s development, but I am upset because we were eliminated from the Champions League. Sometimes you can’t win trophies, but you have the opportunity to prepare for the future. I believe that we’ve started a good path this season, but at the moment, we can’t judge what we’ve done.
“It’s the crucial part of the season and we must reach the minimum target, collecting as many points as possible.”
Nedved under fire after visible frustration during Dybala’s substitution
Vice president Pavel Nedved seemed unhappy with Allegri’s decision to replace Paulo Dybala against Cagliari last week. Has the coach met the ex-winger to clarify what happened?
“He reacted to something that happened on the pitch. When you watch games from the stands, it’s difficult to remain still all the time,” said Allegri.
“There are no problems. We are working well together with him, Cherubini and the President. We must end the season well and begin the next one even better.
“Paulo [Dybala] is doing well. He has had a difficult season also because of injuries. I expect a lot from him and the other players because we must collect as many points as possible.”
Strongest squad in the league but getting in the top 4 was “the target” at the start of the season. Loser mentality from the footballing relic Allegri
I think the 4th spot on the table is an adjustment target. Agnelli always targeting scudetto, but juve played badly at the beginning of the season, and another contender played at full speed..
so agnelli adjust the target…
it was pretty pathetic by the way..
Right point mr. Dave!!!
I think this juve are the strongest squad in serie A, even more advance than inter and napoli but sadly they have been coached by negative person with sweet memoria (only in his point of view)
Most of are starters were injured majority of the season.
Dave, really? Do you consider Rabiot, McKennie, Kean, Arthur, Rugani, de Sciglio, Perin, Sandro, Bernardeschi as strongest? Not to mention that Chiesa and Dybala, by far the best players in Juve, are for over half of the season. Inter has the strongest squad.
lol the Juve faithful were singing the praises of Feng Shui Max, destroyer of football at the start of the season. I said it before and I will say it again, Juve can never win the CL with a coach like this, directors stuck in their old ways and other teams having a set identity. Juve used to always grind it out but with a plan to do so. Now PhD Max is driving a car that cannot get out of first gear and for some reason he is always driving in reverse.
This is strongest squad? It’s at best 3-rd strongest with majority of the team past their best or overrated as hell. Juventus transfer policy for last 3 years is worst in the league by far. There are only 3 valuable players in this team – Chiesa, De Ligt and maybe Vlahovic, nothing more, rest of them are average at best.
Allegri went to two finals, how is that not showing that you can win it???
Plus, how can you be favourite with the same inconsistent players (you know who) and without the leagues topscorer???
Expect an overhaul of the squad this summer so it fits Champion Allegris standards.
Scudetto for Juve next year is in unavoidable!
A “Target” is set by Allegri AND the managers.
Just thought to mention it because some people dont seem to understand the basics.
Nedved should leave with Allegri
bunch of noobs
Juve have the best quad in the league. Players like Kean, arthur, Rabiot, Rugani, de Sciglio, Perin, Sandro, Bernardeschi are very good player but they have become very mediocre under Allegri is the same is happening with Chiesa, Vlahovic.
Juve should quickly replace Allegri. Is thank to Antonio he has won the 5 scudetti
Juve didn’t have the right mentality and too many injuries in the first half of the season and that’s why they won’t win the league this time. But given the terrible start, it’s incredible that the game against Inter was a potential title decider. It speaks volumes for how poor the other teams are that Juve can basically give them a half season headstart and virtually catch them. Next season will be a different story once all the deadwood has been replaced with reliable alternatives.
On a separate note, just look at how this story exposes FI’s made up rifts based on a guy shaking his head. Fake news!
4th place target at the end of the season started off week 1 ? 150m yearly salary and this is all ? Awesome..Milan and Inter combined will sum almost the same salary I presume