Juventus boss Max Allegri shrugged off Chelsea links and insisted Roma “are still Scudetto contenders.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
The Coach was asked about reports in today’s edition of The Sun newspaper that he’s first choice to take over at Chelsea next season.
Juventus boss Max Allegri shrugged off Chelsea links and insisted Roma “are still Scudetto contenders.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
The Coach was asked about reports in today’s edition of The Sun newspaper that he’s first choice to take over at Chelsea next season.
“My thoughts at this moment are on Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League. I am tied to Juventus until 2017 and, as I’ve already said many times, I am happy here. So that’s that.
“Just as there’s a game of transfer speculation around players, we get the same with Coaches. It’s normal, I am proud to be the Coach of a big club like Juventus,” he shrugged in a Press conference.
“Roma are still Scudetto contenders because they have quality players, there will certainly be a reaction after changing Coach and this game is still Juve-Roma, so that means a difficult and important game.
“They have the squad capable of putting together a positive streak of results. I don’t believe any of the top five are ruled out of the title race.
“Don’t forget when we were 10-12 points off the leaders, we were in a different psychological state to right now, but in football it’s quick for things to turn around.
“Therefore we have to focus not on what we’ve done, but what we still need to do. We want to reach the Final of the Coppa Italia for the second time in a row and face a very tough Champions League test with Bayern Munich.
“We’ve had a few wins, but have achieved nothing yet other than to reach March in all three competitions. There is a long way to go and we can only hope Napoli lose a bit of momentum, as they’re having a great campaign.
“Tomorrow the most important thing is for it to be a wonderful game of football, both on and off the pitch.
“We have to consider Roberto Pereyra and Mario Lemina as January signings, because we’ve barely had them so far this season. Andrea Barzagli has recovered and is available.
“I decided to leave Sami Khedira to train all week, as it would’ve been pointless taking him to Rome and not playing against Lazio. I preferred to have Patrice Evra fresh and rested, as Alex Sandro did well against Udinese.
“Before anyone asks, there is no doubt that Martin Caceres will be staying here.”
On Wednesday Juventus will host Inter in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final.
“Over the next two months we have the most important games of the season – Bayern twice, Inter twice, Napoli and tomorrow Roma. We’ll end that run with the derby on March 20 and then it’s the final strait.
“From now to May 16 we have to focus on getting a certain number of victories, otherwise there’s no chance. The important thing is for everyone to be fresh psychologically and physically.
“The level of the squad at this moment allows me to rotate players and keep the quality high.”
Allegri was asked whether he’ll make some tactical changes based on Luciano Spalletti’s potential move to a three-man defence.
“More than based on Roma, my choices are on the form of my players and the upcoming games. As against Lazio on Wednesday, the strongest team will start. I have players who can come off the bench and change a match in the last 30 minutes too.
“Juan Cuadrado did very well so far and has improved in tactical, physical and technical terms. Of course we have to make choices and right now he has characteristics that can be very useful coming off the bench, as does Pereyra. Cuadrado could start tomorrow, the important thing is that he gives his contribution.”