Allegri relieved with Juventus win over Chievo

Despite dominating both possession and chances, Juventus only came away from Chievo Verona with a 2-1 win. It required a Miralem Pjanic winner with fifteen minutes to go to settle the points after Mario Mandzukic’s opener had been canceled out by a Sergio Pellissier penalty in the second half.

After the game, manager Massimiliano Allegri was grateful for the victory.

“The boys played a good match, we had different chances. At the end of a month full of challenges we have got an important victory.

“Today’s match could have ended with a margin of many more goals.

“Matches last for 95 minutes, we need to have the strength to go at the opponents from the first to the last minute.

“In football, one of the first things you have to do is run, as well as play well.”

In response to a comment comparing his side to that of Fabio Capello’s Juve -

“Capello’s Juventus? I vaguely remember them, I know they used to win like this. The opponents are getting tougher and tougher and you always have to think of new solutions.

“Today we had to think about Chievo, then we will think about Pescara. We need to take one step at a time, we can’t do any more.”

Allegri was also complimentary of the work rate put in by his two forwards Gonzalo Higuain and Mario Mandzukic.

“Higuain did very well today, we need someone who plays between the lines and in the absence of Dybala he is doing very well.

“I asked Higuain and Mandzukic to show sacrifice and they did it well. Technically we played well and I am happy about that.”