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…’