Allegri: ‘Best Juventus of the season’
Max Allegri believes Juventus beat Torino with one of their best performances of the season so far and explains where Moise Kean and Matthijs de Ligt need to improve.
The Bianconeri struggled in the first half with only 39 per cent possession, but introducing Juan Cuadrado and moving Federico Chiesa to centre-forward made the difference.
Chiesa assisted Manuel Locatelli for the crucial goal, in off the inside of the upright at the 86th minute, and Juve kept a clean sheet after conceding for 20 consecutive Serie A matches, going back to March.
“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,” Allegri told DAZN.
“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.
Serie A | Torino 0-1 Juventus: Locatelli decides Derby della Mole
“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.”
There has been a definite change of pace and temperament in the Juventus squad over the last few games, including the 1-0 Champions League victory over Chelsea.
“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 Milan, I feel was our best of the season.”
Kean is the only available centre-forward with injuries to Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata, yet again he only lasted one half today before being replaced.
“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.”
Allegri had said before the season began that players like Matthijs de Ligt and Dejan Kulusevski were still too young to be key figures.
“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.”
Bonucci was on the bench today, although he spent most of the game giving advice on the touchline. How did the defender do as a makeshift assistant manager?
“He told me there was another slot left to make a substitution, I said no, that’ll give them another 30 seconds to play! Rather than 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!”