Max Allegri’s mentor Giovanni Galeone believes Juventus are a ‘mediocre team’ even with Paul Pogba, Angel Di Maria and Federico Chiesa and insists the Bianconeri need a miracle to earn a top-four finish in Serie A.
Galeone has often been critical of Juventus since Allegri returned to the club a year ago. Earlier this summer, he said that the Bianconeri would need a miracle to win the title without several reinforcements, but his expectations have lowered following Juventus’ first games this season.
“I said it in the summer and I repeat today Juventus are a mediocre team even with Paul Pogba, Angel Di Maria, Federico Chiesa and the other injured players,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Without them, they can drop even more and make a bad impression like against Benfica.”
The Bianconeri have lost the opening two Champions League group stage games for the first time in history and have only won two of their opening eight matches across all competitions.
“If I have to blame Allegri is just because of the transfer window. I thought he’d make his voice heard for sales and new signings. Paredes has been treated like a champion, but he is not Pirlo,” said Galeone.
“Allegri needs a miracle to go beyond the group stage in the Champions League and even finish in the top four in Serie A.”
However, the Tuscan tactician also needs to show some of the features that have made him one of the most successful coaches in Italian football.
“Juventus need the first Max, a man coach with strokes of genius who would read games and players well,” Galeone admitted.
“On the contrary, I always see the same things from Juve and I don’t like it. He doesn’t have football professors like Sami Khedira or Andrea Barzagli, but Max must do something or it’s not going to end well.”
Juventus face Monza away on Sunday in the last Serie A game before the international break.
Honest question from a non Italian calcio follower, why is it so hard for Italian media to criticize Allgeri?
He’s been getting away with murder since he came back. He has the most expensive squad, he has invested the most cash on players he wants. Imagine if it was Mourinho, Conte or Spaletti
Why is he always treated with kid gloves?
Maybe another logo redesign would help…
Nothing new but it does not matter with regards to personnel when you are talking about the 7/9. Upset victories are part of the game. The issue is PhD Max and the board crave 19th Century coma calcio champagne. They yearn for 1-0 and 0-0 masterpieces. That does not work in Europe but the minnows still have not figured it out.
@Carl
It’s because all of Italian football live in the past – I’m a huge Serie A fan btw. They refuse to change and adapt. It worked in the 80’s/90’s because we were the best and the tactics/style of play matched the times. Football has evolved since then and Italy can’t, and often won’t, accept that. Every now and then we get a fantastic result (Euro 2020 for example) – and it’s often due to playing modern football, but then what happens? they go straight back to being stubborn and the dinosaur mentality comes back.
Well explained Dan. Sacchi keeps saying this but they don’t listen. They are more excited with suffering for a 1-0 win than a convincing 4-1. This is why coaches like Allegri and Mourinho are held highly here.