Every word from Allegri’s post-Lazio press conference on performance, Locatelli, Vlahovic and Chiesa plus more

Juventus beat Lazio 1-0 to reach the semifinals of the Coppa Italia, thanks to a goal from Gleison Bremer, and here’s Massimiliano Allegri’s full post-match interview from Sport Mediaset and Sky Italia:

Can we say that you have found your Juve again?

«Let’s say that tonight was a good game, we played well with the ball, especially in the first half. In the second half, Lazio kept the ball much more, but we conceded little or nothing to Lazio, the most important thing is to have given a certain attitude that we didn’t have against Monza, especially in the first half, because we conceded two very avoidable goals and this should make us think. Tonight the boys were very good.»

In view of Salerno, will this match be reviewed in the locker room?

«There’s no need to watch this game again because they’re responsible kids, grown-ups and they have to understand that to win games, in addition to tactics and technique, you need the right spirit and the right attitude. Tonight we won many contracts, we arrived at the duels, we defended well, we also played in an orderly manner, with patience, in the development of the game, against a good pressure from Lazio.»

A team like Lazio that never enters the penalty area favors you?

“It’s not easy to play against Lazio, if you unleash them in speed they become very good. We slowed them down and worked well on the passing trajectories, then with Milinkovic’s entry we also defended well on crosses.»

Why did Juve struggle a bit in the support phase during the match?

«Today the team played a good game, then in the second half Lazio dominated ball possession but we defended well. We’re coming from three difficult games, playing a game like tonight’s wasn’t easy and maybe we missed a bit peace of mind in the counterattacks available in the second half. We have laid a good basis for a better start in the league.»

Locatelli, Vlahovic and Chiesa, how do you judge these three singles?

«Locatelli is becoming an important example. He puts his heart and soul into it, he shows how matches are tackled. He never backs down. Chiesa returned well, Vlahovic did some good things and some less. I liked Cuadrado’s return, the most important thing is that the team never gives up.»

Is it the midfield victory?

«The team played a good game. The boys gave a good answer, because it wasn’t easy. The 15-point blow is felt, so we came from a bad defeat against Monza. Tonight the team was present on the pitch and all together they helped each other, they defended and attacked, also making good plots by not conceding anything to Lazio. It was a good match, a good victory that they deserved.»

What happened with 2 minutes to go?

«In those moments you have to understand the game and the ball has to be handled in another way, because 2 minutes are long and if you have the chance to handle the ball you have to do it»

It was important for you not to concede a goal…

«When we didn’t have the ball, the first to move in an orderly manner were Vlahovic and Chiesa, they shielded the ball in the middle. They were the first two, when the team stays organized it’s more difficult to concede goals. And tonight it was done this.»

How important is it to win a semifinal with this attitude?

«I told the lads, this is a new experience for everyone. We have responsibilities, we have to do well in all competitions. Tonight it was important to win, we needed to change after the last three games. Tonight it was important to win, we had to change after the last three games. The attitude this evening made the difference. From Naples we conceded goals too easily, this is not like us.»

A judgment on Vlahovic and Chiesa?

«After so many months of not playing, they did well. I thought they did worse. Chiesa was very orderly and very good, as was Vlahovic. They did some good things and it was a nice evening.»

Can Pogba come back against Salernitana?

«He played a friendly match a week ago, also playing a good match. The last match was in April. It takes time, patience, we hope to have him as soon as possible. We also hired him to make a leap in quality in the team, we hope to have him as soon as possible.»

Who do you see as favorite for the Champions League? An opinion on Lazio?

«It’s 1-X-2 there. I think Inter have no problem staying there, Milan, Rome, Lazio and Atalanta have a 25% probability. Lazio play well, if you unleash them in speed they are a difficult team to face We were good at not giving them the field, not unleashing them, they enter the field with great technique»

Has the team passed the penalty?

«Things need to go slowly, there’s no point in hurrying. We made a mistake in the first half against Monza, we played a good match tonight. This was a Coppa Italia match, now we have to think about Salernitana, which for us is a direct match, given that there are two points of difference.»

Can Chiesa and Di Maria play together?

«When the players are well and they serve each other on the field, we cannot lose players on the field. If they are all well, there will be the possibility of playing with the forwards, but they will have to run and there will be the possibility to play with the attackers. But everyone will have to run, you can’t defend with 6 and attack with 4.»