Massimiliano Allegri says Juventus will understand if they can compete for the top four at the end of February and hits back at Mino Raiola over claims that Matthijs de Ligt could leave at the end of the season.
The Bianconeri host Cagliari at the Allianz Stadium tomorrow.
“It’s a difficult game because holidays begin after the game, so everyone’s busy preparing luggage and presents, but we must focus on the game against Cagliari,” he said at a press conference.
“They don’t deserve this position in the table for their technical values. They have Keita, Joao Pedro and Pavoletti and I believe they are among the best strikers in the second part of the table.
“Cagliari have good players in midfield. If we think that tomorrow’s game will be easy, we are wrong.
“We need full commitment because we can no longer make errors at home. The only thing we can do is try to win as many games as possible.
“We must be more clinical and continue to work hard. We played well at Bologna, it wasn’t an easy game. I’m happy with what we’ve done, but tomorrow we start from the beginning.”
Juventus: Raiola names three clubs potentially interested in De Ligt
Allegri said that nobody has recovered from injuries, meaning Paulo Dybala, Giorgio Chiellini, Federico Chiesa and Danilo will miss the game.
“Those who travelled to Bologna will be available tomorrow,” the coach said.
“Paulo, Danilo, Chiesa and Chiellini will train with us on the 30th. Danilo will be a bit behind, but the others will be available. Then we’ll see Ramsey, who is still out of action.
“Cuadrado is one yellow card away from suspension, so I will decide who plays tomorrow. Substitutions will be crucial.”
Juventus will face Napoli at the Allianz Stadium after the break in the first game of 2021.
A journalist complimented the coach for saying Inter were the favourite to win the Scudetto at the beginning of the season, but the Tuscan doesn’t consider it a significant achievement.
“It wasn’t so difficult to guess that Inter were the favourites to win the title,” he said.
“We have to win tomorrow and then see where we can get,” Allegri continued.
“On February 28, we’ll be able to know if we are in the race for the top four. There’s a lot of work to do over the next two months, but the rest of the season depends on tomorrow’s game. If we don’t win, the victory against Bologna will be useless.”
Juventus meet Napoli, Roma, Milan and Atalanta in the next two months and Allegri admitted he would be happy if the table doesn’t change over the next two months: “It would be excellent,” he said.
Juventus currently sit six points behind fourth-placed Atalanta.
Matthijs De Ligt’s agent Mino Raiola has suggested that the defender could leave Juventus at the end of the season and Allegri was asked if Raiola was ‘insensitive’ to talk about the player’s future in this moment of the campaign.
“What do I have to say? Repeat the question? Or not answer?” asked Allegri.
“The next step for Matthijs is in the next game. He has to score a goal.
“I haven’t heard what Raiola said. Matthijs is improving, he played really well in Bologna, he is 22 and has great quality, he can only improve as any other player, from Kulusevski to Chiesa and Rabiot.
“The growth must be our target, then we’ll see what happens in the market.”
Paulo Dybala has been training apart from the group with a muscle problem and his contract expires at the end of the season.
According to reports, Juventus have reached an agreement to extend with the Argentinean, but the deal has not been announced yet.
“He didn’t train with the team this morning and it makes no sense to take another risk,” Allegri said.
“I haven’t talked to the club about his contract extension. I know there was a meeting with his agent a few days ago, I don’t know the latest developments. I think they are in talks and it’s normal at this stage. It’s a big contract, Juventus have invested a lot on Dybala.”
I feel like it is a) raiola wants to stir up interest to see if he could actualky get anu concrete offers for de ligt to line his pockets or b) juve and raiola working together so that juve can sell get donnarumma and vlahovic next year. I dont belisve in ay circumstance it is de ligt stirring it up at all.
“The Bianconeri host Napoli at the Allianz Stadium tomorrow.” – this is a mistake. They host Cagliari tomorrow.
Max you must win till March no time home and away ……
@Gio
I like that idea. Eventhough I’m really not too keen on Donnarumma as a solid keeper. Let alone the fact the he is yet another client of the parasite.