Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri says he’s yet to hold discussions with the clubs management about his future in Turin. The Bianconeri boss was speaking with the press ahead of their trip to Naples to face a rejuvenated Napoli side, and commented on the status of his players, suggesting it will be a difficult match for the team, but confirming that Federico Chiesa is back to fitness:
How important is this match?
“This is certainly a very difficult match, given Napoli’s technical quality. It’s unusual to see them in that position. Their matches are always tough, and it will take a great performance to win.”
How is Chiesa?
“Federico trained separately for a day, and tomorrow he will be available. Danilo will also be there even though he has only had one training session. Kean will surely be there next week, McKennie should be there next week too. We’ll see how Rabiot’s foot reacts, Perin should return next time.”
Can Danilo play in midfield?
“No, because we have many midfielders available, like Alcaraz, Miretti, Nonge. Danilo has only had one training session. It doesn’t make sense to risk someone who has been out for fifteen days. Tomorrow, a difficult period begins. We have many direct clashes and the most beautiful period with the cup semifinals, and we still don’t have enough points for the Champions League.”
Can the victory against Frosinone represent a turning point?
“It has been a difficult period, not a good February for us. We only won against Frosinone. Tomorrow, March begins, and we hope it will be better. The match against Frosinone was difficult, with two avoidable goals. But this is something to fix as a team. We need to do better as a team, otherwise, we’ll come away from Naples with broken bones.”
Are you willing to spread the salary?
“We haven’t talked about the future with the club, this must be clear to everyone. I have a year left on my contract, and we still have goals to achieve. When the executives have decided what the future of Juventus will be, they will let me know.”
A comment on De Laurentiis’s words?
“I absolutely don’t comment on De Laurentiis’s words. We still don’t know if we will participate in the Champions League because we have to reach 70 points. We are missing 13 points, 4 wins, and 1 draw. We don’t know if we will participate in the Club World Cup because it depends on the results of others.”
Is second place your goal?
“We will do everything to finish second because it would be an excellent result and we would improve last year’s ranking. The team has changed, many young players have played. Talking now about what the future will be doesn’t make sense. We have to live the present of tomorrow against Napoli and then next week against Atalanta. We need to qualify for the Champions League because it is a technical and above all economic added value.”
How is Djalò?
“I am happy with his acquisition. He is growing because he had a cruciate ligament injury, and we need to be patient.”
Is it better to put Cambiaso or Weah on Kvara?
“I haven’t decided on the lineup for tomorrow yet. Napoli is strong; they have had problems but the value of the players doesn’t change. It will require attention; we will have to be proactive and we will have to get results.”
How does Napoli change with Calzona? Does he want to redeem last year’s match?
“Regardless of last year, Juventus hasn’t won in Naples for 5 years. It would be nice to get a result, but it won’t be easy. Osimhen has brought back certainties; we know his qualities, like everyone else’s. We will have to play a cautious game and try to play with the ball in the opponent’s half. Calzona? I don’t know him personally, but with Barcelona and Sassuolo, he played a great game. He was with Sarri for many years, so the characteristics will be more or less the same.”
Have you heard from Pogba?
“I wrote a message to Paul for what happened. I am very sorry as a human being. Football loses an extraordinary player. I was lucky to coach him; a player like him is hard to find. I cannot comment on the verdict. I am sorry as a human being; he is a very good boy.”
How much did the absence of Bremer and Danilo weigh during this period?
“In my career, I have always had injuries alternately with players. We need to focus on the players we have available. Even if we don’t have Rabiot and McKennie, we will have Alcaraz, Miretti, Nonge… They have less experience, but they are eager and have technique. Defensively, it’s not about individuals but about the team. We need to defend better than in the last games.”
How should we play this match?
“It’s a complex match like the ones that will follow against Atalanta and Genoa. We need to try to limit them and try to be proactive with the ball. The team is doing well, they have worked well, and they want to play a great game tomorrow.”
