Max Allegri dodges questions on Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez’s futures, instead praising their recent performances.
Pirlo had suggested in the run-up to this week’s Champions League semi-final first leg win over Real Madrid that lifting the European Cup would prompt his exit from Serie A.
Max Allegri dodges questions on Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez’s futures, instead praising their recent performances.
Pirlo had suggested in the run-up to this week’s Champions League semi-final first leg win over Real Madrid that lifting the European Cup would prompt his exit from Serie A.
Discussing the strength of Juve’s squad at today’s Press conference ahead of tomorrow’s League game with Cagliari, attention inevitably moved towards the veteran midfielder’s comments, and if his position would be one that strong squad would have to find a solution for from the summer.
“First of all, Andrea has been criticised, but the other night I think he played a good game,” responded Allegri to reporters, however.
“At first there were a few mistakes with balls, but after that he ended well, even at a physical level. At a physical level he had a great performance, there is no doubt.
“Now, to talk about the market I believe is good for nothing. Right now the important thing is to be focused.
“We have four League games where we have to take the points, as that is our duty to do so, we are Juventus and we have to take as many points as possible.
“And above all, we have two, maybe three crucial games. Two definitely, the semi-final second leg and the Coppa Italia Final, three if we were to reach the Champions League Final.
“But we are thinking about this weekend. If we start thinking about Real Madrid, that is too far from now. We could get there and already be tired, so let’s think from Sunday about that, from Monday even better.”
Allegri was asked about team selection for tomorrow’s game with Cagliari, and also about Carlos Tevez’s reaction to being substituted late in Tuesday’s game with Real Madrid.
“Tomorrow Marco Storari plays, and I think that Tevez will be out. As for his reaction, I was told of it, as when it happened I didn’t notice.
“There is no problem, it is normal that when a player comes off they are angry, the important thing is that when he is in the field he does what he has to do, and I think Carlitos has had an important season this year, one of his best, if not the best, since he has been playing football.
“For him I think this is an extraordinary year and he has the potential to have another great year…
“Is that a message [in relation to constant links of a return to Boca Juniors]? No, absolutely! I look at him like this… At Boca? Even at Juventus…”