Allegri: Juventus movement key to Derby della Mole victory

Juventus finally registered their first clean sheet of the league season, and did it in classic Derby della Mole way too like they usually do, scoring a late winner. This time summer signing Manuel Locatelli added his name to the list of legends that have clinched this fixture in the waning minutes, joining Leonardo Bonucci, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain, Juan Cuadrado, Andrea Pirlo, Giorgio Chiellini and David Trezeguet among many others.

Torino were game challengers in this clash, having the best of the first half. However, they could not keep up the high intensity that Ivan Juric demands and as they tired late in the game, there was only going to be one winner.

Speaking after the game, coach Massimiliano Allegri explained why he took off Moise Kean and commented on game winner Locatelli.

“We were a bit too static in the first half, especially down the right, and Kean did better towards the end of the first half, but we lost possession a few too many times.

“Toro lost intensity as time wore on and we moved more, so the more you move, the more you make the opposition lose sight of reference points.

“Locatelli settled in well, he can improve a great deal. He is beginning to vary the moves, so short and long passes, he just needs to improve his positioning.”

Have Juventus finally turned a corner after a stuttering start to the season, having reeled off three league wins and starting their Champions league campaign with two clean sheets, including one against the holders Chelsea midweek.

“After the break for international duty, we discovered the desire to defend when we needed to defend and attack when we needed to attack.

“It would’ve been disappointing not to win a game after that performance which, after the first half against AC Milan, I feel was our best of the season.”

Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata’s injuries meant Kean started this game after Allegri had opted for a false-9 set up against Chelsea.

“Apart from losing the ball a couple of times early on, he did quite well. He is devastating when he runs at the goal, but is working on his technique, his first touch and control.”

The coach had cautioned earlier in the season against heaping too many expectations on younger players like Matthijs de Ligt and Dejan Kulusevski.

“It’s a matter of experience. De Ligt is a good player, despite being 22 years old, and let’s not forget he came from a different type of football, so in Italy he needs to improve his reading of the situations and his aggression in marking. He’s coming off good performances and can only improve.

“The same goes for Kulusevski, we have talented young players and are working to improve them individually. They have the advantage of playing with teammates like Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.”

Veteran defender Bonucci is showing all signs of going the management way after mirroring Allegri on the touchline.

“He told me there was another slot left to make a substitution, I said no, that’ll give them another 30 seconds to play!

“Like many great players, I think Leonardo has matured so much and become calmer and more relaxed with the responsibility he holds towards the group. On the one hand, it’s positive he is maturing, on the other it means he’s getting older!”