Max Allegri believes Juve gave a good performance against a strong Inter side, but lost his temper when asked about the potential handball: ‘Talk about football, not referees. We are gentlemen in that sense.’ The Bianconeri edged a tightly fought content at the San Siro, the only goal of the night coming from Filip Kostic. Speaking with Sky Sport Italia (as quoted by TuttoJuve) after the match, Allegri offered his assessment of the match, but was incensed when asked about the disputed handball from Adrien Rabiot in the build-up:
Was it a very good Juve?
“It was a good game against a strong Inter team that has physicality, in the first half we could have gone behind but after the lead we had chances and in the second half even more glaring ones. We could and should have scored goals but we didn’t and in this we have to improve.”
How much more can this Juve improve?
“I don’t know, we work every day, there are guys who have grown. Let’s not forget that boys ranging from 2001 to 2003 have played in this Juve not counting Vlahovic and Kean. Fagioli had a very important match, Soulè the same but he has to improve in the scoring phase, we have Miretti out, Pogba we never had. We have to take one step at a time, without getting excited but also not getting depressed as happened after the results against Atalanta and Monza.”
How do you deal with Paredes?
“These are technical choices, he’s had two very good last training sessions, he’s a player I rely on, Locatelli is doing very well, I’m not really talking about Rabiot because he’s extraordinary. But the whole team did well because they put in heart and strength. Then we have to improve especially in finalization because we create a lot and score little.”
Are you excited about a comeback?
“No, I’m not used to getting excited because those who get excited then fall. We had a good win, I thank the boys who will give me a good break. Comeback? It’s difficult, we have passed 40 points, we have to come back in April with everyone available, the others we will have recovered all of them apart from Pogba. In the league we scored 56 points and at the end we’ll see what happens even if it’s not easy, from the outside I see people talking about a lot of things but before judging you have to be in the situation, so this team should only be thanked.”
The potential handball from Rabiot?
“I think since I’ve been coaching, I’ve never grumbled about a referee. Var is an objective thing, the goal at Salernitana is an objective thing, then there are subjective things: it doesn’t take that long to figure it out. The stamp in the area is an assumption, so on the half hand foul or a push. You should talk about football, not referees. We are gentlemen in that sense, otherwise I have to tell you that every team complains when they have it against them and no one for them. Last year in a decisive match on the same issue the camera was off. Be quiet otherwise I’ll remind you all. I like you guys, but I get angry about certain things, when someone doesn’t understand I struggle.”
