Juventus boss Max Allegri says “there are parallels with 2015”, Mattia De Sciglio must “find his feet” and that Paulo Dybala needs to “prove” he is world-class.
In the second part of his Press conference for Saturday’s Serie A opener against Cagliari, Allegri also joined the calls for the transfer window to be shut before the first match, backed VAR to “bring about benefits” and made it clear he trusted his players.
Juventus boss Max Allegri says “there are parallels with 2015”, Mattia De Sciglio must “find his feet” and that Paulo Dybala needs to “prove” he is world-class.
In the second part of his Press conference for Saturday’s Serie A opener against Cagliari, Allegri also joined the calls for the transfer window to be shut before the first match, backed VAR to “bring about benefits” and made it clear he trusted his players.
“Parallels with after Berlin in 2015? There are some, so we have to work with balance and ease ourselves into the season,” continued the coach.
“We started late [for preseason] and the market is still open, so we need to be careful and focused.
“The market should close earlier, teams should be completed by the start of the season. I hope it happens.
“For a top European team to remain a top one, you need mental balance, regardless of your results.
“If we don’t beat Cagliari tomorrow, everything is back under the microscope and what we’ve done in previous years is history.
“We have to think about picking up three points tomorrow and then pick up three more in the next game.
“VAR? It’s new technology, you have to see how it develops [before judging it], but it can certainly bring about benefits.
“The hardest thing is managing it because there may be games that go on for a very long time.
“The good thing is that when VAR is adopted, there’ll be a minute’s time-out, like in basketball.
“Attitude? I’m not a father figure and it’s not who I am. I have to be a Coach, not a guard dog.
“Juve have great players, who have to be responsible. I have the objective of winning a fourth Scudetto and my players must keep winning.
“If this doesn’t happen, we won’t be able to have a great season.
“De Sciglio? He had two good years with me [at Milan] but then got a bit lost. He needs to find his feet again so he can put in good performances once more. He has to get that security back.
“Still, he and Lichtsteiner give me guarantees on the right-hand side.
“Real Madrid? When we lost in Cardiff, there was a lot of disappointment, maybe Juve had too little respect for the strength of Real Madrid.
“Real won the final because they were better. They’re a team that have reached six out of six semi-finals, and the team that have won three of the last four Champions Leagues can’t be underdogs.
“We were on par with them for 50 minutes, but then Real killed us.
“Agnelli? The President talked to the team like he has every year, and he found the right words to say. The lads took them on board and are ready for the new season.
“Dybala No 10? Paulo doesn’t feel any pressure because he has clear objectives in mind. For him, it’s an important season he has to prove himself [as a world-class talent] in Italy and, above all, Europe.
“It would be a mistake to think that he’s already at the highest level. He can still improve and to do that, he must work hard.
“Sell-out for Cagliari? It’s important to start at the Allianz Stadium and feel the warmth of our fans. We need them.
“Dybala was a striker, but his role is now behind the strikers. His role suits him a lot because of his physical characteristics, which let him combine all his running with so much quality. He needs to have an extraordinary season.”