Allegri provides Juventus injury update after late win

Juventus came close to dropping more points at home, with second half substitute Juan Cuadrado popping up with a late winner in time added on to secure all three on offer against Fiorentina.

Speaking after the game, coach Massimiliano Allegri was frustrated by his side’s failure to secure the win until the dying minutes.

“I think we’ve thrown at least seven points away. We must be angry because a team that wants to win all games must come through these matches. Otherwise, you can win or lose against anyone.

“We must think about it and perhaps we could turn into a team again.”

Injuries continue to mount for the side with veteran defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci were both ruled out just before kick-off, with goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny knocked out with a minor rib injury and fullback Alex Sandro hobbling off at the break.

“Szczesny fell on a ball yesterday, he could not stretch, so he could not make saves.

“Chiellini has had a flexor or adductor problem. I left him out as a precautionary measure. Bonucci had a problem before the game, but he was already supposed to rest against Verona.

“Alex Sandro had an adductor problem while Moise Kean will be ready after the break.”

Allegri reserved words of praise for his backups who gained a clean sheet today.

“I am pleased with the performance of the whole team, but especially Daniele Rugani, who barely played at all this season. Luca Pellegrini also did well off the bench.

“We held out well on a psychological level. We should be angry at the points we dropped along the way this season, which we would’ve taken home with a different mentality and attitude. We must be pleased today, but also still have that anger we dropped those points.”

It was not until the Viola were down a man that Juve really got some shots on goal, with Alvaro Morata once again the culprit for a number of chances.

“I think we had three or four chances in the first half where we chose the wrong final ball. This victory boosts confidence, but absolutely must not lower the level of concentration. If anything, it has to remind us that to win games, we need to fight to the end,” continued Allegri.

“Morata created some good situations, he scored a disallowed goal and only could’ve done better on Danilo’s cross, realising he had to attack the near post rather than the back. He should’ve read that situation better.”

After two home defeats to Sassuolo and Hellas Verona, Allegri was encouraged by the attitude his side displayed against Fiorentina.

“The foundations to be a team fighting for the top spots are based on sacrifice. This is a team that has quality, but it must be united with the spirit of sacrifice, determination in the tackle and individual duels. We didn’t win a single duel against Sassuolo, whereas today we had more of those.

“This team earned qualification for the Champions League Round of 16 with two games to spare, but we must not forget what we got wrong.”

Allegri explained his thinking between switching between 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 this season.

“At this moment we have four defenders and manage to develop from the back like that. We’ve got three in midfield and then the three upfront who sort themselves out, which gives us a sense of unpredictability.

“Dybala and Chiesa must be used to get the best out of their characteristics, while Morata does well if he’s back to the goal for some of the game, but not all of it.

“People say you have to play well, but ultimately it’s about winning and you have to win. Our issues above all this season were psychological, and today at the most difficult moment of the game, we held out. I am glad about that.”