Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli explains why Carlos Alcaraz is not playing after his expensive loan move from Southampton. ‘We needed a lad who would not disturb the squad.’
It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium at 11.30 GMT.
Max Allegri had tested out a 4-3-3 formation during the week in training, but has again stuck to the 3-5-2, even after picking up just two points from the last four rounds.
“The coach amassed 54 points, so it is only right to continue with this approach that gave us so much satisfaction until now. We need to get our heads down and achieve the target we set at the start of the season, which is Champions League qualification,” Giuntoli told Sky Sport Italia.
After having been in the Scudetto race, if Juve were to finish the season in fourth place, would it still be considered a positive campaign?
“Absolutely yes, our target from the start has always been the top four. Juventus are starting to balance the books, started a project three years ago with much younger players, all formed in-house, so this is work being done with prospects for the future.”
Allegri is under contract until June 2025 and more questions have been raised about his future, so what is the situation?
“We want to keep the coach and the coach is very happy to remain at Juventus. At the right moment, we will sit down and discuss the future.”
Another expected change from Juventus this week was to give Alcaraz his first start following the January loan with option to buy from Southampton, but he is again only on the bench.
The terms of the loan were rather surprising and unusual, with an option to buy worth a massive €50m, so why isn’t he playing?
“I will explain. We needed to bring in a lad who would not disturb the squad that we were very happy with, so a young player with good prospects. The opportunity arrived 48 hours before the deadline and we did not have time to negotiate the release clause.
“We have great respect for his club and at the right moment will sit down to discuss the options.”
There is also a clause in the loan meaning that the more he plays, the less Juve pay, so why isn’t he playing?
“He just arrived, is very young and lacks experience at this level. When you negotiate a loan fee, you try to protect yourself, for instance if he is injured,” added Giuntoli.
“It was a ‘light’ economic move, he has already come off the bench twice. We did not need a starter, but someone who could fill that slot with prospects for the future.”
#SerieA | @juventusfc, #Giuntoli: "Il rinnovo di #Allegri? Noi vogliamo tenerlo e lui sarebbe contentissimo di restare. #Alcaraz? Non c'era tempo per negoziare, non avevamo bisogno di un titolare"https://t.co/L7j39ynGrU
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) February 25, 2024
This transaction from Giuntoli is absolute madness. And to think he was brought in to correct the years of reckless spending by the infamous Fabio Paratici. I did not think it was possible to hire someone worse than Fabio, seems I was wrong. A truly bizarre situation unfolding