Allegri: This is a different Juve to previous years

Juventus started hot and never let off the pace as they raced to a 7-0 win over Sassuolo, the biggest victory of the season for the Bianconeri. After the game manager Massimiliano Allegri was satisfied with the performance and relieved to not have a letdown after the midweek Coppa Italia victory at Atalanta.

“We have to compliment the lads on how they interpreted the game, as we were coming off a Coppa Italia semi-final and there was the risk of losing concentration.

“We cannot afford any slip-ups with Napoli marching on so strong. It was important to win today so we could definitively break away from the chasing pack, who are now 14 points away.”

Star striker Gonzalo Higuain had struggled to get goals in recent weeks but once he got going today he was unstoppable and picked up his first Juventus -hat-trick.

“I am happy for Gonzalo Higuain’s hat-trick and the whole team. Many players are beginning to reach their ideal form.”

He provided an injury update ahead of a key Champions League clash coming up.

“Blaise Matuidi won’t be there against Tottenham. I think it is a muscular problem, but we have players like Claudio Marchisio and Paulo Dybala who are getting closer to fitness.

“However, there are no problems for Andrea Barzagli, Sami Khedira and Daniele Rugani. They have come out or haven’t played as a precaution.

“Douglas Costa will be back on Friday as well, so we have the necessary players to play.”

Allegri ominously warned though that there would be more change upcoming.

“This is a different Juve to previous years. We started out with one tactical system, now we use another and I think we’ll change again going forward, because we could use more players with certain characteristics.

“There’s no secret to our success, we simply have lads with good values and want to win what feels like their first Scudetto. We want to stay on Napoli’s tails going into the sprint finish.”