Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot defends Massimiliano Allegri but doesn’t know if he will extend his expiring contract in Turin.
The France international spoke to the media at a press conference on the eve of Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Maccabi Haifa.
The Bianconeri lost 2-0 against Milan in Serie A on Saturday and must win in Israel tomorrow to keep their qualification hopes alive in the Champions League.
“We all want to react and do well, we want to win to believe in the qualification,” said Rabiot.
“We are talking, not everything goes well even when we win. We must isolate the problems on the pitch. We are a nice group and we are working well in training, so we must do the same during games.
“I feel important for the team, everyone has a specific role. Right now, I feel physically well and I want to help my teammates.”
The ex-PSG star was close to joining Manchester United last summer but rejected a move to Old Trafford, opting to remain in Turin where his contract runs out in the summer.
Rabiot is one of the highest earners at the Allianz Stadium with a €7m-a-year contract. Does he think this will be his last season in Turin?
“I don’t know, there are many things to think about these days, I want to help the team in this difficult moment,” he said.
“I am not even thinking about the World Cup, because there are many games with Juventus. We must do well and I think the other has the same mentality. It’s a tough season, we must focus on the club and then we’ll see.
“Allegri is a strong coach,” the midfielder continued.
“He knows how to manage the team, also off the pitch. Not everyone can do it. To me, he is a complete coach, on and off the pitch.”
The Tuscan tactician is under fire after losing four of the opening 12 games across all competitions, including two in the Champions League. Juventus are currently 10 points behind Serie A leaders Napoli and -7 from Milan and Udinese in fourth.