Allegri: Every season there’s a slip-up, this was ours

Juventus conceded three goals in the Serie A for the first time in manager Massimiliano Allegri’s tenure, and he was vocally unhappy about the performance as the Bianconeri slipped to a 3-1 defeat away at Genoa.

“There were 25 Genoa fouls and eight from us. When those are the stats, it is impossible to win a football match.

“We knew Genoa were tough and we’d have to play on their level physically, but the first half was very bad. The second was better and it was too late by then.

“It’s a setback, presumably after qualifying for the Champions League there was a dip in concentration levels.

“We conceded three goals from the six-yard box. Again, you’re going to lose a game if you do that. In every season there is a slip-up and this was ours, because for the first half-hour we were just absent. There are no excuses for that start.”

Allegri made an unusual move for his starting lineup, with Stephan Lichtsteiner on the right of a three-man defence with Juan Cuadrado lining up on the left of a front pairing with Mario Mandzukic.

“Cuadrado could do some damage between the lines and earn free kicks around the area, with Dani Alves showing the technique to resist pressure. That was the idea, anyway.

“We were too lightweight today. We have a four-point advantage in the table fortunately and this match needs to really make us sit down and think about things. It has to make us reflect and learn valuable lessons.”

Mario Mandzukic looked to have been felled in the box right at halftime, but the referee was not interested.

“I told the referee he was right not to award the penalty, otherwise the game would’ve been re-opened and we didn’t deserve that.”

He did pinpoint an issue with an apparent European hangover for Juve.

“We have lost three matches, all of them after Champions League games, maybe unconsciously the players relaxed a bit.

“It shouldn’t happen but it happens and we have to take the positives: Get our feet back on the ground and understand that the season is still long and nothing should be taken for granted.”