Allegri: Nothing’s changed, I have the right motivation

Juventus are close to rounding out the season and face crosstown rivals Torino in the Derby della Mole on Friday. While the press and fans continue to speculate if manager Massimiliano Allegri will return for this sixth season, he is continuing to talk like he will definitely still be in charge.

Speaking ahead of the game, he insisted that he was still focused on winning the Champions League with the Bianconeri.

“The answer is simple. I still have to see Agnelli to draw up plans and talk about the season we’ve had, about the things that have gone well the things that haven’t, as well as talking about next season.

“I’ll see how we can improve the team, where we want to get to and what the President’s ideas will be.

“As for everything else, it’s all normal: we met this morning, but also the other day. When he’s here we always see each other, but the President will call me first and then we’ll have a meeting.

“You’re wrong to talk about who could replace me. I have to leave every year, even though I’ve been here for five years. The good thing is that we’ll have one month to draw up plans.

“I’ll tell the President what my ideas are. My idea right now is to hear what he wants and what the club want. After that, like every year, things will definitely go the right way.

“Juventus must be in with a shout of winning the Scudetto, Coppa Italia, Supercoppa and Champions League every season.

“Nothing’s changed. It’s normal that every year we look over what we’ve done. I have the right motivation.

“If I’ve decided to stay and start over with Juve for the sixth season, it’s because I have the right motivation. If I wasn’t convinced on a technical level, I wouldn’t start another season.”

The manager provided a squad update as well -

“Daniele Rugani’s not been called up because he had a bit of inflammation against Inter. Martin Caceres is back and Andrea Barzagli is better, although I’ll keep him rested. We’ll see if he’s okay to face Roma. Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci will play tomorrow.

“Carlo Pinsoglio will definitely play a game. He deserves it because he’s a point of reference in the dressing room: he’s become really important.

“As for Moise Kean, either I’ll start everyone from the off or make a change on the bench.”

Regarding tomorrow’s opponent Torino who sit in sixth and are in contention for a Europa League spot, with the Champions League also possible.

“We’ll be playing in an important derby, Toro have lost only one of their last 17 trips here.

“Hopefully that statistic will be two tomorrow. Mazzarri is doing something extraordinary, Torino are fighting for the Champions League and we’ll have to play like we did in the second half against Inter.

“We’ve trained very well this week: normally, but with a different kind of serenity. I’m convinced that we’ll have a good game tomorrow.

“It’ll be a certain type of game. They have an extraordinary objective: they hadn’t got to this stage of the season for a long time, playing for the Champions League.

“We’ll need to have a good game and we’ll need to be solid: they have so much physicality in their team.”

Allegri was also asked about Aaron Ramsey who will miss the rest of the Arsenal season with an injury before joining Juve in the summer.

“He’s a quality player, who has goals in his legs and is good at timing his runs. He’s a great signing for us.”