Former Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic doesn’t believe Max Allegri should be sacked: “If I were the club, I would not get rid of Allegri, he is doing an extraordinary job.” The Bosnian international took time out to speak with La Gazzetta dello Sport about the situation the Bianconeri find themselves in and explained why he believes the club can still make it into the top 4, the potential of youngster Nicolo Fagioli and what his career holds in store when he finally decides to hang up his boots:
Andrea Pirlo said that “Nicolò can be the new Pirlo, but better to be remembered as Fagioli….” Do you agree?
“If Pirlo says so… I also predicted in unsuspected times that Fagioli would become a great Juve player. At 17 he often trained with us. He was a different young man from the others, never boring with the ball. I’ve always admired Nicolò and it doesn’t surprise me what he’s doing this year. He must continue to work like this and remain humble. Allegri and his staff will help Nicolò to become a serious, international midfielder.”
Juventus, despite the 15-point penalty, is only 7 points behind fourth-place Champions Milan. Surprised?
“No, because I know the mentality of the club and Allegri, who is doing an extraordinary job in a very a complicated situation. Juve on the pitch is second in the standings, behind Napoli. I believe the Bianconeri can finish in the top 4 even with -15.”
The national team break will return a confident Vlahovic to Allegri, 3 goals in 2 games. Dusan with Serbia has an average of one goal per match, with Juve the trend is worse: one goal every two matches. Why?
“Dusan has had physical problems and getting back to the top is never easy. Especially at a big club like Juve where there is always pressure and the center forward is expected to score every match. Vlahovic knows what he has to do and he will score a lot at Juventus as well.”
What advice would you give to Di Maria and Rabiot, both of whom have expiring contracts with Juventus this summer?
“I would tell both of them to stay. They are important players for the team. If they are happy, it is right for them to stay. But these are personal decisions: they will know what to choose.”
Zaniolo, after his farewell to Roma, moved to Galatasaray. But there is already talk of Juve for the future….
“I think he made the right choice by going to Galatasaray. Turkey will be good for him, I say this from personal experience. He is young and has enormous potential: I wish him serenity. And if he works hard, then the big Italian names will come back to him.”
What are your thoughts on Sporting Lisbon (Juve’s EL opponents)?
“My free kick goal in the Champions League comes to mind. But also the difficulty of the matches against the Portuguese. I hope the Bianconeri will pass the Europa League round. I dream of a Juve-Roma final in Budapest.”
And in the Champions League?
“It’s good to see Milan, Napoli and Inter in the quarters. I hope Spalletti makes it to the final.”
Have you already prepared a congratulatory message for the Scudetto to Spalletti?
“Napoli is on track to deservedly win the title. It is the team that plays best of all. Kvara and Osimhen are two top players that all coaches would like to have. Kudos also to sporting director Giuntoli who has put together such a strong team.”
Conte, fresh from his split from Tottenham, is aiming to return to Italy. On which bench would you see him best suited?
“Surely he will not lack offers, Conte is a coach of great depth. I would see him well in all the big Italian teams, but not at Juventus right now….”
Why?
“Because if I were a manager, I would always want someone like Allegri. Max is on the ball and never complains, even in a year like this where everything has happened. He is a great coach.”
Will you be a sporting director or a coach when your career ends?
“I love football and I would like to be a coach to pass on what I know and how I see football.”
