Massimiliano Allegri, the head coach of Juventus, acknowledged that it’s natural for people to consider Juventus as favorites, but he emphasized that his team faces a formidable opponent as they take on Milan at San Siro on Sunday evening. During his customary pre-match press conference on Saturday morning, Allegri expressed his anticipation of a challenging atmosphere in Milan.
Allegri also provided insights into his team selection process, particularly in light of the return of key players Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa to training in the past week. With the final preparations in place, Allegri shared his expectations with the press, anticipating “a good, interesting match.” He recognized the significance of this clash, with Juventus currently sitting in first place in the league, and Milan in third. Playing at the iconic San Siro stadium offers both excitement and difficulty for the team.
Allegri Responds to Comments on Juventus as Title Favorites
When asked about the comments made by Milan’s coach, Stefano Pioli, and Inter’s CEO, Beppe Marotta, stating that Juventus is among the favorites for the league title, Allegri responded with modesty. He explained, “I don’t know why they say this. One is the coach of Milan, the other is the director of Inter, it’s normal for them to say that Juve are favorites.” Allegri emphasized the importance of accumulating as many points as possible to secure a top-four position by the end of May.
He encouraged everyone to enjoy the upcoming match against Milan and asserted that the team’s performance would determine their standing. Allegri is curious to witness the encounter against one of the three favorites for the league, alongside Inter and Napoli, especially in a crucial match hosted in the iconic and bustling San Siro stadium.
Team Updates and Allegri’s Expectations
In a positive development for Juventus, Federico Chiesa returned to training with the team for the first time since the international break, having withdrawn from the Italy squad earlier. Dusan Vlahovic also resumed training with the team throughout the week and is in good shape. However, Allegri indicated that the decision to include Chiesa in the match would depend on his readiness.
The coach emphasized that he is yet to finalize his lineup, mentioning the return of another player, Iling, who can have an impact on the game. Despite the absence of senior figures Danilo and Alex Sandro in the defense, Allegri expressed confidence in the replacements. He announced that Adrien Rabiot would be the captain for this match, expressing hope that it would bring good fortune to the team.
Finally, Allegri expressed his optimism about summer signing Timothy Weah, noting his consistent improvement after a challenging start to the season. He attributed this growth to Weah’s adaptation to the new league, emphasizing that the young player is now performing exceptionally well.
