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Juventus had to undergo a difficult end to the game as Atalanta threatened to equalize late, but pulled out a 3-2 win to proceed to the next round of the Coppa Italia.
After the game, manager Massimiliano Allegri was in no mood for platitudes.
“Juventus keep doing this! It keeps happening.
“It was a good performance from both teams. Unfortunately we kind of stopped playing and at the end really ran a huge risk of conceding a third goal. At that stage it would’ve made qualification really tough, as Atalanta found confidence and were pouring forward.
“This type of match does us good, because we have to learn that the game isn’t over until the end and we’ve got to avoid these errors.
“I can understand the opposition being fired up, but I won’t accept us taking our foot off the gas. Tonight we ran a really big risk. The games aren’t over until the final whistle.
“We need to get it into our heads that you attack when it’s time to attack, then you defend when it’s time to defend. We’ve got to reflect, because this seems to happen to us a lot now, at least once a month.
“When the game looks like it’s safe, we have to keep a clean sheet. We defended badly on the goals, but other than those we didn’t really need tough saves. Atalanta had pushed forward, but if we defended in an organised and determined fashion, we wouldn’t have allowed them to score.”
Marko Pjaca made a long-awaited return to the game after facing three months out.
“He had 15 minutes tonight and we’ll see how he trains. He returned after 100 days out, he’s young and tonight learned that it’s tough to play in Italy.”
With Patrice Evra’s future unclear, Beppe Marotta had told the media earlier today that Juve are looking at Schalke’s left back Sead Kolasinac.
“At the moment we’ve got Patrice Evra, so it’s unlikely we’ll have someone new in.”
His opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini felt his plucky Atalanta side had done well.
“It was an excellent second half performance and we were on the same level as Juventus.
“Overall it has to be considered a positive game. We gave it our best shot and scared them, but were unable to get the goal for extra time. I am happy with how Latte Lath played and his goal.”
In reference to the competition structure where the higher-seeded team plays at home, he said -
“I personally do not like the structure of the competition, as it gives too many advantages to the big clubs.”
Juve had beaten the Orobici a month ago 3-1, also at the Juventus Stadium.