Juventus coach Max Allegri says ‘It feels like having what you achieved taken away’ following the clubs 15-point Serie A penalty. The Juve boss was speaking after his side’s 3-3 draw against Atalanta, a game that saw them go behind twice before eventually snatching an equaliser through Danilo goal. Talking to DAZN (Via Sky Sport Italia) Allegri talked about the frustration that he and his players feel at Friday’s decision and why it’s difficult to set objectives for the season:
“Let’s make an evaluation of the first part of the championship: the only part we missed was the Champions League. The team currently has 38 points, taking away the VAR error against Salernitana. So apart from Napoli we would be ahead of the others.
The team played a good game physically, after two difficult days when it was difficult to concentrate. The game was complicated and we made mistakes on the goals. We have to keep working, we have the Europa League and the Coppa Italia. We must not be distracted by external situations.
They should be congratulated, because psychologically it was not easy. To find yourself in tenth place from one day to the next is like taking away something you have achieved. So we have to thank them and the staff. Now we continue with pride for what we have done.
The performance? I’m happy for the boys’ performance, unfortunately the mistakes penalised us. The mistake on 3-2 could have cut us off and instead we did well to stay in the game. Danilo deserved the goal on a free kick, as the crowning glory of a great season.
Miretti has to improve in the penalty area, but he has to stay calm. Bremer had a great game tonight, as did Fagioli.
Danilo’s free-kick? You don’t use it anymore, now in football you have to do strange things. You just touch it and shoot it. Danilo, when they move the ball to him… Now you’ve revealed a secret from me, because in football there are secrets!
Where can this team go? I don’t know if it can be done. I believe it will take 71pts to get to the Champions League, but it’s difficult. We have to work intensively. We have a week to recover energy and put players in. Right now it’s impossible to think where we can get to in the league.”