Max Allegri warned Empoli has become “an important game” for Juventus, but Daniele Rugani won’t necessarily feature.
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Considering our position in the table, it is a very important game, as they all are because we’re so far behind. We must get back to winning on our travels and try to get a second consecutive Serie A victory,” said Allegri in his Press conference.
Max Allegri warned Empoli has become “an important game” for Juventus, but Daniele Rugani won’t necessarily feature.
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Considering our position in the table, it is a very important game, as they all are because we’re so far behind. We must get back to winning on our travels and try to get a second consecutive Serie A victory,” said Allegri in his Press conference.
“In football it’s difficult to explain when things don’t go as planned, so tomorrow will be complicated. Empoli are in good shape and last season perhaps we really didn’t deserve to beat them. At home we only won at the end on the counter.
“We used up a lot of energy in Germany on Tuesday and it’s expected to be unseasonably warm tomorrow, so we need to ration out our efforts.”
Rugani played every single minute of last season for Empoli and avoided receiving a yellow card, yet since coming to Turin the Italy Under-21 international has managed only one brief cameo appearance.
As they are visiting his old hunting ground at the Stadio Castellani, will Rugani feature tomorrow?
“It’s not as if just because we’re playing in Empoli, Rugani has to play. Daniele has a bright future ahead of him, but Juventus have three or four of the best centre-backs in Europe. It’s beyond doubt he is the future of Juventus. Right now he needs patience and to continue training.”
Sami Khedira is back in the squad and Stephan Lichtsteiner made a stunning comeback a month after heart surgery on Tuesday, scoring in the 1-1 Champions League draw with Borussia Monchengladbach.
“Mario Mandzukic has to get back to playing the way he does and like everyone I expect a lot from someone of his calibre and experience.”
Juve have gone a man down twice in recent weeks, as Giorgio Chiellini and Hernanes were dismissed.
“We do have to pick up fewer cards for dissent. A tackle during a match situation can happen, even if Hernanes’ challenge was really bad.”
Allegri was furious with Alvaro Morata after the Champions League game, as the striker had to sit on the touchline and change his socks for several minutes, as they did not match the club uniform.
“I bought him socks for every colour of kit we’ve got! He won’t get it wrong tomorrow, that’s for sure.”