Allegri: I never comment on refereeing incidents

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri said after today’s controversial 2-1 win over AC Milan that the right team had won the game, despite how the result had been achieved. Allegri, who had previously been the manager of the Rossoneri, insisted that decisions such as the late penalty that allowed Juve to get ahead work themselves out over the season.

He didn’t even watch the winner go again as he was already in the tunnel going to the changing rooms.

“The game was over… I was already in the tunnel and I preferred not to see the penalty. We were going to either win or draw. Paulo Dybala did well, because it’s never easy to put a penalty past Gianluigi Donnarumma, especially in the form he was in tonight with some remarkable saves.”

When asked if he thought the handball that led to the penalty was deserving of the punishment, he said -

“I never comment on refereeing incidents, whether in our favour or against. The officials were close by, if they gave it, then that was their decision. Incidents go for and against, that’s football, and I didn’t sit here complaining about penalties against Udinese. I said we played badly and deserved no more than a point.

“Tonight Juve deserved the win, we played better than Milan overall, even if this is a side that never gives up and kept standing under great pressure.

“What I care about is that it was a good performance, one of our best this season, and we are closer to a sixth consecutive Scudetto. You don’t get 70 points just like that. This year when we had incidents go against us, we didn’t stir up chaos.”

That last statement seemed to be a direct reference to how Donnarumma and striker Carlos Bacca challenged the referee Davide Massa, with Bacca in particular having to be physically kept away by Milan manager Vincenzo Montella.

“In the second half we allowed a few too many counter-attacks, but had already created several chances to take the lead. The team played well, we had numerous shots on and off target, keeping the fans entertained, but we need to be more solid in defence, because against Udinese and tonight we conceded avoidable goals.

“As far as I am concerned, Juventus played better than Milan, but this is a side that you think has been knocked down and then they stay standing.

“I am satisfied with the performance, now we have the chance to prepare with more calm for Tuesday’s Champions League game with Porto.

“I would’ve been satisfied even with the draw, because the performance showed that Juve are in good shape.”

Meanwhile, after the game Montella called for calm and apologized for Bacca’s behaviour.

“Everyone has their interpretation and I want to apologise for the situation at the end, as that is unforgivable.

“Massa told me he took the responsibility of giving the penalty. I am told he was far away and couldn’t have seen it. I prefer not to talk about referees, even if on days like this it becomes difficult!

“Complaining doesn’t get you anywhere. It’s pointless. We have to focus, stay calm and accept that referees do make mistakes. We can only hope that the errors go in our favour…

“I don’t want to talk about referees. The officials always told us there is no such thing as compensation and therefore I don’t even want to see the Zapata incident, because it’s irrelevant.”