Massimiliano Allegri highlighted how Juventus are ‘taking one step at a time’ as they work to climb up the league table following their 15-point deduction.
The FIGC court handed the penalty to the Bianconeri following the capital gains case, believing that the club inflated player transfer values in their balance sheets.
Bans were also handed to current or former directors, including ex-president Andrea Agnelli and now Tottenham sporting director Fabio Paratici.
The penalty has left Juventus in the midtable, 14 points behind fourth place Roma. Further penalties could also be on the horizon as the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Prisma investigation is still ongoing.
Speaking in a press conference, Allegri first discussed how much the last few wins have helped his team’s confidence.
“They were important, tomorrow a different game and always complicated. Fiorentina are a team that runs and presses, we will need patience and order.”
He confirmed that Adrien Rabiot would feature against the Viola.
“He’s a player who has reached the age of 27 and has found his maturity as it often happens to players, between the ages of 26 and 30, players reach the peak of their careers. Tomorrow he’ll play.”
The Italian coach was asked if he was satisfied with Juventus’ growth this season.
“Right now, we have to focus on the minimum goals in the league, like catching up with those ahead of us.
“We’re taking things one step at a time. The team are doing a good job, we need to improve during the game. Tomorrow, we need a better performance to beat Fiorentina.”
Allegri explained why he regularly deploys defender Danilo.
“The stats says he is well, as long as he is well, he plays. He manages quite well in that role, he’s doing well like the whole team is. I’d say he is becoming a very important player.”
He provided an update on Paul Pogba.
“Pogba cannot be called up, he’s still out at the moment. He’s not there, I’m sorry to say it but that’s the reality.
“He’s working to be available again, right now I can’t tell you when he’ll be back. Maybe in 20 days, I don’t know.”
The Bianconeri coach also spoke about a few of the other injured players.
“Bonucci will be available against Nantes on Thursday. Milik is still a long way off, Kaio Jorge too. On Monday, Bonucci will train with the team, he’ll be available against Nantes.”
Allegri discussed how his players reacted after finding out about the 15-point deduction.
“The guys have been very good, as in all things. There is a moment of adjustment. After the verdict in Naples, the blow came. It’s human, otherwise we tell ourselves lies.
“Now the team has found their balance, we have given ourselves mini-goals. Tomorrow we must do well, Fiorentina are behind and can catch up to us. Like at Salerno.
“We have to be good and take one step at a time, being at our best. We have games to play.”
He commented on Gleison Bremer’s brief drop in form.
“In Cremona and Napoli, he didn’t play good games but lately he has. Hardly when the team does badly is there one who does well, when we do badly, we all do badly.”
Finally, Allegri shed a little more light on Pogba’s injury.
“A normal recovery, coming from an external meniscus which is very annoying because until the knee settles it gives discomfort every now and then.
“He’s being followed, he’s working and he’s putting everything he can into it but at the moment he’s not available.”
Twenty days for Pogba? Allegri is being diplomatic. Read between the lines. Poor Pogba will not play a single minute this year.