Massimiliano Allegri was solely focused on Juventus’ top four goals ahead of their Derby d’Italia and he confirmed Paulo Dybala would start.
The Bianconeri have started 2022 incredibly well, not losing a single league game since late November. They’ve won their last four consecutive league outings and have all but consolidated their place in the Champions League spots.
Speaking in a press conference today, Allegri first discussed the condition of his squad ahead of the Derby d’Italia.
“We’ll see how it goes tomorrow, today I can say we’re doing well. We’ve got Chiellini back, Bonucci will be on the bench but he’s still behind, Zakaria and Alex Sandro are back. So we’re almost all fit and able.”
He gave his thoughts about Paulo Dybala with a smile.
“Tomorrow Dybala will play, so you’re all happy and you can write headlines about it. I haven’t missed you during this break, I haven’t seen you in 20 days!”
The Juventus coach touched on if the decision not to renew Dybala’s contract also had tactical reasons behind it.
“With the club we are in line with everything, when we talk I explain my ideas and then at the end we always find a unity of intent to plan. We all make our choices together.”
Allegri spoke about some players which will start against Inter tomorrow.
“Alex Sandro yes, Zakaria I have to see. Chiellini is fine and will play.”
He was unsure who were the favourites for the Scudetto this season, with only a handful of points separating the top three.
“It’s difficult to say who the favourite is, I think Inter, along with Napoli and Milan, are among the candidates to win the Scudetto.
“Tomorrow we will have to have a great performance in front of the Italian champions, to beat them and consolidate fourth place. We drew in Milan, lost in the Super Cup, maybe tomorrow it will be our turn.”
The Bianconeri coach touched on the impact that a Derby d’Italia defeat would have.
“I’m speaking for us, Juve have to think about fourth place. We’re potentially five points ahead of Atalanta but there are still a lot of points up for grabs, we’ll see where we are tomorrow.”
Allegri suggested his Inter counter-part Simone Inzaghi was lucky in one-off matches against him.
“Yes, it’s chance. He’s luckier in one-off games, I hope we’ll be lucky tomorrow.”
The former Milan and Sassuolo coach refused to accept the idea that upsetting Inter’s title race was an extra incentive.
“We’re not playing to make Inter lose the Scudetto, but to score points to finish in the top four. The aim is to play in the Champions League next year.”
He explained why Dybala is no longer central to the project in Turin.
“Arrivabene has spoken clearly, I have spoken today. Once you’ve made your choices, they remain those. I don’t think this is the first case of a player changing clubs, there are others who expire.
“We have to stay focused on the end of the season, we have eight league games and a Coppa Italia final to reach.”
Finally, Allegri suggested that Federico Bernardeschi would start against Inter tomorrow.
“Bernardeschi could be a starter, he’s recovered and feeling better.”
Allegri: "Non giochiamo per far perdere lo scudetto all'Inter. Marotta su Dybala? Non fatemi fare il mercato degli altri" https://t.co/L6XvszhRSe
— FcInterNews.it (@FcInterNewsit) April 2, 2022
Now why a teams objective be about someone else’s demise? This guy is an idiot.
he glad we the 0-0 tommorow
He said the opposite, that they are NOT playing to ruin Inters scudetto.
@MG Learn English and/or Italian because he said the opposite. He’s right that Juve need to focus on Juve. That’s how they win things. Others who focus on others and so-called injustices and ref decisions lose over and over again. It’s about responsibility and the players who remain need to take it.
Yeah thats the way Villareal bomb them 0-3 at their own turf. Lol pathetic
Translating what PhD Max said tells me very clearly another round of bus parking, sitting too deep, hoofing the ball up to Vlahovic, shutting shop after 15 minutes, getting Dybala to see his new team and Sideways back, back, down, down gifting presents and the win in the last minute of stoppages lol.