Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli elucidates the absence of Carlos Alcaraz from the lineup following his significant loan acquisition from Southampton, emphasizing the club’s priority of maintaining squad cohesion.
The match commences at the Allianz Juventus Stadium at 11:30 GMT.
Despite experimenting with a 4-3-3 formation in training, Coach Max Allegri has opted to persist with the 3-5-2 formation, despite recent results yielding just two points from the last four rounds.
“The coach has accumulated 54 points, so it is only logical to adhere to the approach that has yielded considerable success thus far. Our primary objective remains Champions League qualification,” Giuntoli conveyed to Sky Sport Italia.
Amid speculation about Allegri’s future, Giuntoli affirmed the club’s desire to retain the coach. “The coach is content to remain at Juventus, and discussions about the future will transpire at the appropriate juncture,” he added.
Regarding Alcaraz’s limited involvement since his arrival on loan, Giuntoli elucidated the circumstances surrounding the loan terms and Alcaraz’s current role on the bench.
“We sought to acquire a player who would seamlessly integrate with the squad. However, due to the rushed nature of the transfer window, negotiations regarding the release clause were not feasible,” Giuntoli explained.
He further clarified, “Our decision not to deploy Alcaraz as a starter is primarily attributed to his recent arrival, youthfulness, and limited experience at this level.”
Giuntoli underscored the prudent approach in managing the loan agreement, stating, “The loan terms were devised to safeguard the club’s interests, particularly in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as injuries.”
In conclusion, Giuntoli emphasized that while Alcaraz’s immediate impact may be modest, the loan acquisition aligns with Juventus’ long-term vision and strategy.