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Juventus won 3-0 at home at the Allianz Arena, beating Calgiari comfortably in the end to get all three points. After the game, manager Massimiliano Allegri spoke to the media talking about the club needing a bounceback performance after last weekend’s loss in the SuperCoppa -
“We needed a strong performance after the Super Cup, although we weren’t consistent throughout the 90 minutes.
“Today the lads defended well after the penalty, because we did not defend properly before then and allowed Cagliari a few chances.”
Did he feel the penalty awarded using the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) against Alex Sandro was valid?
“I waited for the referee to make a decision, he gave the penalty, but fortunately Buffon is always a Number 1 and he got us out of a difficult situation.”
He was happier with how the Bianconeri closed the visitors down later in the game -
“Against Lazio, the second Ciro Immobile goal was similar, we gave them about 10 minutes to choose a cross. If you cross under pressure, it becomes more difficult to find your target.
“The lads interpreted the match well overall and I am happy.”
What tactical changes will happen with Leonardo Bonucci now gone?
“These lads are talented, they play for Juventus. They might not have Leo’s 40-metre pass, but they have skills and can also play out from the back. We need to improve in the movements of the midfielders and forwards, so it will all eventually fall into place.”
New signing Blaise Matuidi came on in the second stanze, with Juve switching to a 4-3-3 after that -
“We can play with two in midfield, with three, with three and a half. The substitutions made a big impact tonight, as when you introduce Sami Khedira and Matuidi, obviously it’s going to make a difference.
On the impact of the versatile and hardworking Mario Mandzukic -
“Mandzukic gives us physicality both defending and attacking. When we’re under pressure, we rely on him to a degree. He’s an important player and makes me angry every now and then when he has a bad night, like in some friendlies and against Lazio.”