Maccabi-Juventus, Massimiliano Allegri holds out and makes an announcement

©Getty Images

“Tomorrow we stay in retreat at Continassa until the derby.”

After Saturday’s defeat at the San Siro, which brought Juve ten lengths behind the leading Napoli, a reaction was expected from the Bianconeri lineup, called upon to revive its hopes of qualifying for the Champions’ round of 16: a mission miserably failed. Massimiliano Allegri’s team, which appeared dull and unable to react, was in fact defeated 2-0 on the field of Maccabi Haifa.

At the end of the match, the Tuscan coach spoke to Sky’s microphones without making too many excuses for yet another defeat of the Bianconeri season: “It is difficult to explain, there is only silence. Be quiet, go home and work harder than before to get out of this situation. It’s not about shaking it up, it’s about playing as a team. We play too individually, we have three days to prepare for the derby and we have to do it as a team,” Allegri began.

The coach then made an announcement that had already been talked about in the hours leading up to the match: “Until the derby we are all staying at Continassa, I think it is a due act toward the club, the fans and the whole environment. It is not an individual problem, but we make too many mistakes and it is not good.”

Finally, a comment on the harsh words of his president and the hypothesis of resignation: “Agnelli is perfectly right, it was one of the worst firsts ever. Now we have to work because it is not right to make these performances. I have never thought about resigning. A challenge when it becomes difficult is even better. This has to get into everyone’s head. We have to come out of this with courage,” he concluded.

You may also like...