Juventus Coach Massimiliano Allegri believes “the last six games will be crucial” in the Scudetto race.
Inter currently lead the pack, with Fiorentina and Napoli a point behind, the Bianconeri trailing by three, and Roma a further point behind the Turin side.
“It all depends on how the leaders fare,” Allegri explained in his Press conference ahead of the Verona match.
Juventus Coach Massimiliano Allegri believes “the last six games will be crucial” in the Scudetto race.
Inter currently lead the pack, with Fiorentina and Napoli a point behind, the Bianconeri trailing by three, and Roma a further point behind the Turin side.
“It all depends on how the leaders fare,” Allegri explained in his Press conference ahead of the Verona match.
“Potentially, Inter can finish the first round of fixtures with 42 points. It’s normal that with their defeat in the last game, the projection for the Scudetto is 84 points if Inter can go into the second round with 42 points.
“Last season we took 46 points in the first half of the season, and 41 in the second. It’s true that we wrapped up the Scudetto early, but I think this season it will take around 82 points for the Scudetto.
“Our goal is to get through the season trying to be more capable than the others. Above all in the last four days we’ve worked to put some fuel in the tank, because after five months we needed it.
“Now let’s see how tomorrow’s game goes.
“In a bike race, who would I be keeping an eye on in the peloton? Well, firstly we’re not in the peloton, we’re doing a time trial, because our goal is to get enough points to get to the top of the League or the top three.
“To do that you have to win matches. So we’re not in the peloton now, we caught back up to the peloton and now we have to only think about ourselves.
“As I said a month ago, we have to treat it like a time trial. It’s normal that, in a time trial, if you always go harder than the guy in front of you, eventually you’ll catch him.
“We’ve passed some, now we hope to pass – and indeed we have to pass – the others, but that can’t be done in one game.
“The League ends on May 16, and I’m convinced that the last six games will be crucial, so at that point we have to be in touch with the leaders.”
Allegri also took a moment to defend Hernanes, the midfielder who has been much-maligned since moving from Inter this summer.
“First of all, he’s recovered from an injury and is definitely better. Among other things, it’s disappointing because when he came on in the last minute against Torino [in the Coppa Italia] there was some whistling.
“Along with the others, Hernanes is a player who had a great game in Manchester [against City], and at home to Torino in the Derby which we won in the last second he had a good game.
“He’s a top player, who will definitely be useful in the second half of the campaign. He’s definitely better now, so I’m very happy.”
The Brazilian has been included in the squad to face Verona tomorrow, but Andrea Barzagli and Mario Mandzukic miss out.
Juventus squad to face Verona: Buffon, Chiellini, Caceres, Khedira, Zaza, Marchisio, Morata, Pogba, Hernanes, Alex Sandro, Cuadrado, Bonucci, Padoin, Dybala, Asamoah, Rugani, Neto, Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Evra, Rubinho, Vitale