Massimiliano Allegri downplayed reports that he argued with vice-captain Paulo Dybala and noted that Juventus have ‘laid a good foundation’ this season.
The Bianconeri take on Serie A strugglers Salernitana tomorrow afternoon at 14.00 UK time at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. The Turin side have an outside shot to get involved in the title race this season but that would require them to avoid dropping points in games like tomorrow’s against the Campania side.
Speaking in a press conference, Allegri first discussed what kind of reaction he wants to see from his squad tomorrow.
“Salernitana are different to the first meeting, they’ve done well and are playing better. We must immediately erase the Champions League exit and close this period in the best possible way to try to stay three points behind Inter and play the direct match at home.”
He touched on what tactical choices he’ll make following Manuel Locatelli’s positive COVID test.
“I have to evaluate and choose, this morning we tried some solutions. Chiellini, Dybala and Bernardeschi are better but they don’t have 90 minutes in their legs.”
The Italian coach spoke about the argument he had with Dybala regarding the training schedule.
“They made a request and I said no. Nothing happened, they understood and they were good. After this morning’s training session we’ll stay in the camp because tomorrow is a delicate game and we’ll all stay together, rest and be calm. No discussions.
“An inappropriate request? I’ve been a player myself, every now and then we need a bit of a fuss otherwise we stay flat. The other evening I thought we were too flat.”
Allegri refused to accept that this season was a complete failure for Juventus, despite their elimination from the Champions League.
“I have nothing to clarify, together with the club we’re on a path and we’ve laid a good foundation. I think we’re on the right track and we’ve also found a shortcut. it doesn’t take much to destroy things, so you have to be very careful.
“We went from a very dangerous situation when in January we were 10 points behind Atalanta and we were good and lucky there, something that didn’t happen against Villarreal. On Tuesday we weren’t the team that could win the Champions League, on Thursday it’s all over again, it’s failure.
“You have to write these things, we have to keep a clear head. It’s not that Tuesday is one thing and Thursday is another. We played well in a Round of 16, how many goals do you want to create in a Round of 16? Donuts don’t always come with a hole.
“Of course no one expected a 3-0 defeat, but that’s football. Like what happened in Madrid with PSG. The positive thing is that after the break we’ll have all the players available, except for Chiesa and McKennie.”
The former Milan and Sassuolo coach commented on if fourth place in the league was enough to be satisfied this season.
“To me those who judge know little. Together with the club I have to look at the construction of a four-year project. We’ve shortened the time frame a little thanks to the January market and now we’ll evaluate how to improve further.
“If for you fourth place is a failure, you are right to write it down. There’s an old saying in football: whoever wins is a good guy, whoever loses… You don’t have to smash the atom, you have to win games based on an assessment of what you have available.
“Now let’s try to beat Salernitana, which isn’t easy. Above all, to have the ambition of playing the direct match against Inter being only three points behind.”
Allegri discussed if he’s evaluating his future squad based on the remaining games of this season.
“The club and myself know very well what to do, we have clear ideas and the same line. But this doesn’t matter now, I have these players and I’m proud of them. We have ten games in which to do our best and then see where we are.
“But I’m not changing my evaluations, maybe we can do better one year and worse the next. The players have all made themselves available and woe betide anyone who touches them. Now we have to put everything aside and think about these games, first of all tomorrow because I don’t want to ruin my break.
“After being eliminated from the Champions League, you guys were out of the Champions League too, you liked that too… Going away, having two days. We’re sorry for you too. Tomorrow must be good.”
The Italian coach spoke about if he believes in this squad for next year and what Juventus risk in tomorrow’s match.
“I believe that, as the president has often said, it takes time to build. With the January market and the work we have shortened the time needed to build. I’m happy with the way we’re working, then it’s normal that every year the team has to be fixed, it has to be done with focus.
“You mustn’t get caught up in gut feelings, you lose against Villarreal and everything is no longer good. No, it’s not like that.”
Finally, Allegri discussed the work still remaining ahead of Juventus this season.
“At the start of the season we had difficulties, then gradually we regained confidence. We must continue to take it one step at a time, there are still many points to be made to get into the top four.”
Allegri and Dybala reported to have clashed in training
Tension was reportedly high between Max Allegri and Paulo Dybala in training yesterday, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport via Calciomercato.
The manager and the attacker have enjoyed a fruitful relationship since they have been working together.
Although the Argentinian is injury-prone, Allegri considers him an impressive player and the Juve gaffer continues to use him prominently.
The former Palermo man has been in the news lately as he negotiates a new deal with the club.
This could be his last season at the Allianz Stadium if the Bianconeri cannot get him on a fresh contract.
The report didn’t give details about the clash between the player and his manager, but if it is true, then it could see him lose his place in the team.
The last thing Dybala needs now is to have problems with Allegri because the manager has been his most vocal supporter.
He has also backed him in selecting him regularly and hasn’t considered dropping the Argentinian despite his persistent injury problems.
If this report is true, we will find out more in the coming hours or days.
Dybala sparks tension with Juve coach Allegri
Tense scenes were seen in Turin yesterday as Paulo Dybala and Massimiliano Allegri began to argue at Juventus’ training centre.
As detailed by La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Argentinian forward and teammate Juan Cuadrado went to Allegri’s office yesterday to make a request regarding the plans for today, the day before Juventus’ clash against Salernitana. The request related to the pre-match training programme and the timetable for the training session.
The pair wanted a few more hours of freedom in the schedule and Dybala took the lead in the conversation. This request did not impress Allegri and the talk quickly devolved into a heated argument, with the Juventus coach furious to receive such a request after the Champions League exit to Villarreal.
Whilst this argument may not have consequences necessarily, it’s a sign of the tension brewing in the Juventus camp following a lacklustre season, as well as the uncertainty regarding the future of Dybala.
It’s still unclear if the Argentinian forward will sign a new deal before the end of this season, when his contract expires with the club.
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