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Allegri: Juve distinguished from others by important moral values

Manager’s pre-match comments ahead of Juventus vs Pescara tomorrow

Juventus v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: First Leg
Massimiliano Allegri
Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

Juventus take on Pescara tomorrow looking to extend their lead at the top of the Serie A, with a major Champions League clash upcoming.

“It’s not the most important thing. It’s a long year, there are times where you do one thing and times where you do another, during a game you might do one thing and then have to switch to something else in the course of it.

“I made the choice after the Fiorentina match because I thought it was right to give something more to the team, and to allow the team to express its full potential.

“Above all, novelty always brings enthusiasm.

“The lads did well, because at the end of the day when you have a group of lads who all make themselves available, it’s easier to get results.

“Above all, Juventus are distinguished from the others by important moral values.”

Allegri was highly complimented by Paulo Dybala, who signed a brand new deal with Juve yesterday.

“First of all, Paulo’s words pleased me but the credit is all his.

“I only gave him indications, what he could do, where he could grow and where he can grow again, because he has huge potential for improvement.

“Paulo and Neymar will definitely become the world stars of the future.”

As far as the squad for Saturday -

“As for tomorrow’s game, it means a lot to us as it’s worth three points. It’s a game where, if I’m not mistaken, Juventus have previously taken a beating in Pescara after a European game [5-1 in 1992-93].

“So tomorrow we must be focused, because the most important game between now and the end of the season is always the next one, so after Barcelona the most important game is now Pescara.

“Pescara are a team who are playing really well right now, they run and they play to hurt their opponents, so they’re not a team who will sit back and we need to be good at handling this type of game.

“Tomorrow Neto will play in goal, then Paulo Dybala will play, as will Mario Mandzukic and Gonzalo Higuain. Some players will be rested. Sami Khedira won’t play, Leonardo Bonucci is suspended so he won’t be there.

“Tomorrow we need to show that even if there are a lot of changes, as there have been in recent games, you always have to get the result. That’s what counts. We need to play a correct match, we need to be calm and take advantage of the opportunities which we will get.

Juan Cuadrado? I’m having doubts over whether he or Mario Lemina will play on the right. Andrea Barzagli will start, the doubt is between Medhi Benatia and Daniele Rugani. Moise Kean is not yet ready, he’s had some good training sessions but he’s not with the team yet.

“We’re thinking about winning the game tomorrow, then we’ll have four days to prepare for the Barcelona game.”

Allegri’s former club AC Milan was sold to Chinese investors yesterday, and this is what Max had to say about the sale -

“Before the conference, since I didn’t get a chance to do it yesterday, I’d like to say a thanks to President Berlusconi and to Galliani for the opportunity they gave me to Coach and to win with Milan.

“Italian football will definitely miss them, they made history in Italian football. So I salute both the President and Mr Galliani with great affection.”