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Juventus boss Allegri: ‘We risked losing a game we should have won’
Published
2 weeks agoon
Massimiliano Allegri expressed his frustration following Juventus’ 1-1 draw against Roma, admitting that the Bianconeri should have secured all three points.
“We risked losing a game that we should have won, especially in the second half,” Allegri told DAZN. “It’s normal that Roma came back into it, but our ball management in the last two minutes was incredible. We risked losing it when the draw meant we maintained the advantage in the head-to-head standings.”
Allegri acknowledged the team’s recent struggles, winning just twice in their last five outings. He attributed the dip in form to a combination of factors, including injuries and the psychological impact of losing sight of the Scudetto title.
“There’s regret,” Allegri said. “The football is beastly. After the defeat in Milan and the poor performance against Udinese, we collapsed. When you lose sight of the main objective, even though we knew Inter were much stronger and had a 12-14 point advantage over the others, you tend to slow down.
“In that period, we started with Milik’s sending off against Empoli, then Vlahovic. Kean wasn’t well, Chiesa wasn’t well, Rabiot also stopped, Mckennie dislocated his shoulder, we had unfavorable situations.
“The positive side is that in those moments, when you risk capitulating, the lads were focused. Now we have a nice advantage and we can close it out with Salernitana. Several things got stuck and we couldn’t get out of them.”
The Juventus manager also highlighted the absence of key midfielders Paul Pogba and Nicolo Fagioli, who could have provided much-needed depth and quality.
“The three midfielders played a lot, then at a certain point they were missing, especially Mckennie and Rabiot, due to injury,” Allegri said. “We missed Fagioli, he’s a talented lad, the same as Paul, quality players who could have given us a hand.”
Looking ahead, Allegri emphasized the importance of focusing on the upcoming Coppa Italia final against Atalanta before addressing his own future beyond the current season.
“The important thing now is to concentrate on the next game,” Allegri said. “As for next year, the club will evaluate the squad. There’s an excellent base, also in terms of the individual characteristics of the players. Chiesa, we’ve had him in fits and starts.
“Then Pogba, half an hour of him in the games, just his presence was scary for the opponents. Like Fagioli himself, especially as important changes and alternatives.”
When asked about his own future, Allegri remained coy, deflecting the question to the club and emphasizing the importance of the upcoming Coppa Italia final.
“I don’t know, ask the club,” Allegri said. “The important thing is to focus on the final with Atalanta. We hope to come to Rome and have already won the Champions League. Let’s smile, it’s more news about Allegri’s future than what Juventus will do in these 15 days.
“Anyway, there are only 10 days left. I answered in a joking way, the only place they don’t ask me about it is when I go home to Livorno. Gabbione? No, because I can’t take it anymore.”
I am seasoned senior correspondent at Forza Juventus, where I specialize in providing in-depth coverage of transfer news, insightful analysis, and everything related to the world of Juventus.