Adrien Rabiot hints Juventus are looking beyond just a top four finish after the victory away to 10-man Milan and laughs when questioned about the Max Allegri touchline antics.
The match was decided by two incidents, as before half-time Malick Thiaw saw red for hauling down Moise Kean, then the first shot on goal from Juve took a huge deflection off Rade Krunic, allowing Manuel Locatelli to wrong-foot Antonio Mirante.
“This victory means a lot, we wanted to prove that we are here. This season our objective is to finish in the top four, even better if we have the possibility and that goes through these games,” Rabiot told DAZN.
“Our attitude was very good today, it’s true that we were 11 against 10, but we didn’t let anything go and that is how you win games.”
With Danilo out injured, Rabiot wore the Juventus captain’s armband for the first time this evening.
“I am happy, it is my fifth year here, I love this club and so to wear the armband tonight is an honour. The club has such history, I am very happy with this win and we must continue like this. It is a long season, but with this attitude I really do believe.”
Locatelli had also scored his first Serie A goal in this fixture at San Siro back in 2016, but that was for Milan against Juve.
Perhaps looking back on that moment and his career path, the midfielder burst into tears at the final whistle.
“I know he is emotional and happy. He said before the game that he played Milan-Juve here many years ago and scored for Milan, so we told him he had to score for Juve! He had not scored in a long time, it’s wonderful for him.”
Despite leading, Allegri put on quite the show on the touchline in the final minutes, taking off his jacket and tie, kicking anything in his path and screaming wildly in anger.
When asked if he had noticed what was going on, Rabiot’s laugh suggested he was well aware of it.
“I always try to stay concentrated on the pitch, but the coach is like this, it’s not the first time he has done that. He always wants to win and give 100 per cent to the end, so it gives us energy. The coach does well.”
Midfielder Nicolò Fagioli was in the stands alongside Danilo, having begun his seven-month ban for illegal gambling.
“He trains with us every day, he is one of us and we win for him too. We are a team,” concluded Rabiot.