Allegri: Dybala needs to keep it simple

Juventus beat Genoa 2-0 today to book their spot in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals against Torino with goals from Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain. After the game, manager Massimiliano Allegri was happy with the performance on the day.

“We have to compliment the lads for their performance. We pressed hard and showed good intensity. In the second half, we waited for Genoa to move a little more and we finished off the game.

“It was an objective to reach the quarter-finals and the team achieved that in the best way.”

Dybala marked his return to the side with a goal and an assist.

“Dybala put in a good performance, as did the whole team. We all want Dybala to get back to being Dybala, as he’s an extraordinary player. He needed a good performance, but above all a goal, as it can help him find some calm and confidence, but it’s not as if he ever truly lost his way.

“Dybala just has to focus on doing the simple things. He doesn’t need to prove himself in every single game, as that only increases the pressure. He should play as he did tonight.

“I was satisfied with the overall performance, as we covered the pitch well and allowed Genoa nothing. Obviously, when Dybala is the centre-forward, then the box must be filled with runs from the wingers and midfielders. It’s something we can test out, but in order for it to work, we need the wide men to constantly push forward.”

Genoa got better as the game went on, and looked close to an equalizer a number of times before Higuain put the result beyond them.

“I was angry because we gave the ball away three or four times coming out of defence and with this one it was in the penalty area. If in doubt, kick it away. I wasn’t angry with the referee, but rather with my players for creating that situation.”

Now the focus turns towards a big clash against AS Roma on Saturday.

“We’ve got two days to prepare for Roma, we’ll see how the players who are carrying injuries are doing. It’s a head-to-head clash and Roma still have a game in hand, so they could potentially be right up there with us.”