Massimiliano Allegri says Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Locatelli will become the future leaders of Juventus and insists that playing well is an abstract word.
The Italian tactician released a long interview with DAZN. It was conducted by former Juventus and Italy defender Andrea Barzagli who won five Serie A titles with Max at the Allianz Stadium.
They also lost two Champions League Finals, which are the games Allegri would like to replay.
“Especially the first one [against Barcelona in 2015], Allegri said.
“We were in decline when we got to the Cardiff Final [against Real Madrid in 2017]. We were seen as the favourite, not thinking that Real Madrid were on the rise.
“We had spent four months playing with four strikers up front, we paid a high price for the injuries in the first half and, as coach Ettore Messina says, the great defences win big games.”
Juventus have completed their first trophyless season in the last 11 years and Allegri has been criticised for the poor results but also for their boring playing style. As usual, the Italian tactician doesn’t seem bothered by criticism.
“When you are in charge of top teams, the target is to win. Everyone wants to play well, but it’s an abstract word. Think about Ronaldo’s bicycle kick: who remembers the action?” he said.
“Milan and Juventus have two different mentalities, but the target is the same. Juventus have precise DNA based on hard work. They are the first team in Italy and have grown a lot in Europe, having played nine finals. When you choose the players, you must consider the club’s DNA.”
Allegri has coached both Milan and Juventus, winning Serie A titles with both clubs.
“Nobody talks about Real Madrid’s playing style, everyone talks about Barcelona’s, who had won nothing before Messi, Xavi, Busquets and Guardiola,” he continued.
“That’s when they started to win, but in Italy, we copy other countries, so we will always remain behind. We must focus on our qualities.”
Who will be the future leaders of Juventus?
“Leadership is important, but you must have it, you don’t gain it with age,” the coach said.
“Giorgio Chiellini was one of the leaders, the same as you [Barzagli], Gigi Buffon or Claudio Marchisio. Now, we have two leaders for the future: Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Locatelli. Danilo was a nice surprise, he always puts the team ahead of him, he is a true leader, a silent one.”
“Dusan Vlahovic can be a leader in his way. He always wants to win despite being only 22. More than with words, he will become a charismatic leader. When I think about the years I’ve spent with you [Barzagli], Gigi [Buffon], [Clarence] Seedorf, I get emotional because big players taught me a lot. I like to have a direct confrontation with them.”
De Ligt has been linked with a move to Chelsea and Allegri’s words prove that he is not considering parting ways with the Netherlands international.
Allegri also joked about Paul Pogba’s potential return to the club: “He won’t be back, he is afraid of challenging me,” he said, laughing and referring to two previous challenges against the Frenchman during his first spell in Turin.
“He lost playing with foot and hands. That’s why he left. That’s the real reason why he left.”
Allegri jokes about Pogba: ‘Why he won’t return to Juventus…’
Chiesa? Why doesn’t he get a mention.
He’s their best player – tops any of 3 future leaders he mentioned.
Juve fan here, unless they start challenging I’d like to see Chiesa at Real, Bayern, Liverpool or Man City, he’s worthy of all four, he could start at all four and it would be good for him and the azzurri to have our best player winning trophies.
The Champions league final was dull but a fully fit chiesa would’ve lit up that final for either side. I don’t think chiesa is underrated but I don’t think us Italians realise how good he can be, put it another way I wouldn’t swap Mbappe for Chiesa.
Pressed chest, fleshed out west, might be the savior or a garden pest. Her bouquet cleaved his hardened shell, And fondled his muscled heart. He imbibed her glistening spell, Just before the other shoe fell.
Loca is the most disappointed player and why keep him?
Loca
Oh man
Pressed chest, fleshed out west
@Dio, I agree with you. Chiesa is one of the future leaders and capitains.
we, Juventus, are in real trouble
Chiesa the real star. Go all out for Nkunko. Better one quality player than three average Ramsey/Rabiot/Arthur players.
Makes you depressed reading Allegri quotes.
How many of those finals did Juventus win? 😀
If Juve not qualifying for ucl is what it wil take to sack Allegri n bring Zidane in…i am in support of it..7 juve players wil get Acl injuries next season.
martinn
I disagree, the team is getting united instead of individual. Trouble is the constant injury we are experiencing. Otherwise, we have a grwat team
@Fake Lord Allegri, you have repeated that poem for days now and on multiple pages. I am waiting for the original Lord Allegri to post his PhD Max thing.
@Fake Lord Allegri, you have posted that same poem for days now and on multiple pages. Where is the original Lord Allegri, with his usual PhD Max routine……
As long as Mister Allegri is there, everything will be fine.
Relying on the Dutch Phil Jones is like asking PhD Max to go find 5 goals in a game. Never going to happen and de Ligt needs to learn how to stop making silly mistakes first.
I MISS JUVENTUS IN SERIE B: do you know that in the last decade Juve played 2 more finals than inter and milan have played Champions League quarterfinals in the last decade right ? how lower do i have to set my expectations for both Inter and milan and inter to achieve them ? don’t worry, if you come last in the champions league group stage next season you can get your second star !!!
The original lord Allegri is busy defending his project on Allegriology at the university of Isuofia.
This must be the 100th time this year he brings up Guardiola, why ???!
He is the most successful manager in Italian football this past decade, and yet he always seems on the defensive, justifying his philosophy and identity, talking about Guardiola, Klopp, etc. He did the same 3 years ago with Sarri, Gasperini, etc.
His inferiority complex is truly astonishing.
Also, Barca won nothing prior to Guardiola and Messi ??!!
The dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.