Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri called for a turnaround in form and emphasized the importance of securing Champions League qualification during his pre-match press conference before facing Frosinone.
Following a promising start to the season, Juventus’ title aspirations were hampered by a draw with Empoli and a subsequent defeat to Inter Milan in the Derby d’Italia. Their struggles continued with a loss to Udinese and a draw with Hellas Verona, leaving them nine points behind their rivals (with Inter having a game in hand).
Allegri affirmed that preparations for the Frosinone encounter have been positive despite recent setbacks. “We have trained well this week, just like before the negative results. Tomorrow, we face a challenging opponent who play well and create chances. Our objective is to win again,” he declared.
On the potential involvement of new signing Carlos Alcaraz, Allegri expressed optimism: “I’m pleased with his progress. He could play tomorrow. We’ve faced similar teams like Bologna, Sassuolo, and Verona earlier this season, and anything can happen. Against Verona, we showed positive aspects, but we need to regain our defensive solidity.”
Addressing the strategies employed to reverse their fortunes, Allegri stressed the importance of hard work and sacrifice. “Building success requires effort and sacrifice, but without balance, you risk setbacks. Our focus must be on securing Champions League qualification; anything else is inconsequential. We need to concentrate on tomorrow’s match and garner crucial points for the Champions League.”
When questioned about the team’s mentality, Allegri maintained composure: “We weren’t world-beaters before, and we aren’t failures now. This is an opportunity for growth. After tomorrow, we have twelve games remaining to secure Champions League qualification.”
Regarding his contract status, Allegri stated: “Currently, I wouldn’t sign anything new because I have a valid contract. Our immediate focus is securing Champions League participation for Juventus.”
Other topics covered during the press conference included Adrien Rabiot’s performance, the threat posed by upcoming opponents Atalanta and Bologna, and the evolution of their attacking tactics. Finally, Allegri expressed confidence in new signing Alcaraz and reiterated his commitment to helping Juventus overcome their current challenges.