MY ACCOUNT
Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri warned that “a moment can change everything” heading into a decisive stage of the season.
Allegri’s side started the season in mixed fashion, but a 14-game unbeaten streak in Serie A has them back on track and they are one of only five teams still unbeaten in Europe’s top-five leagues in 2022.
Juve sit fourth in the league, six points clear of fifth-placed Atalanta and just seven adrift of leaders Milan, and are still in the Champions League with the return leg of their last-16 clash against Villarreal to come on Wednesday.
The Bianconeri next head to Sampdoria, who Juve have won their last six against in all competitions and scored at least two goals in each of those games, but Allegri is expecting a tough test on Saturday.
Juve boss Allegri also referenced a frantic Champions League clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid as a warning sign for how quickly things can change in football.
“We’ve reached the decisive moment of the season,” he told reporters at Friday’s pre-match news conference.
“With two months to play, this is the run-in. There’s the international break in a week, but in the meantime, we have an intense week ahead of us.
“Our first objective is to defeat Sampdoria, then the second is to qualify to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
“Our objective is to finish in the top four. Whether fourth, third or second, it’s not important. What is important is that we continue our positive run and hold down fourth place.
“Football is played on a knife’s edge – as was demonstrated during the week between Real Madrid and PSG.
“When the situation appears to be going well, a moment can change everything. So, concentration needs to be kept to a maximum.”
Sampdoria are eyeing three straight home league wins for the first time since a run between December 2018 and January 2019, and Allegri reiterated the challenge that a new-look side under Marco Giampaolo pose.
Allegri added: “In their two matches at home with Marco Giampaolo as coach, Sampdoria have scored six goals and conceded none, while 25 per cent of their goals were scored in the opening 15 minutes, so our approach needs to be right.
“Winning in Genoa is always difficult, either against Genoa or Sampdoria. They are transformed when they play at home. We need to have the character to obtain the result we’re looking for.”
Juve will be hoping that new signing Dusan Vlahovic can continue his fine scoring run against Sampdoria, who are his favourite opponent in Serie A having scored five goals in five games against them.
Allegri still wants to see more from the former Fiorentina striker Vlahovic, despite the forward topping Juve’s scoring charts with three goals in five league games since his arrival, averaging a goal every 143 minutes in Serie A.
“I am happy with how Dusan Vlahovic is coping with the mental stress of playing every three days,” he continued.
“Every ball is decisive. I told him yesterday that he needs to be more precise in each action he’s involved in, to spare some energy and increase his skill.”
While Vlahovic has impressed in recent weeks, Juve have been without talisman Paulo Dybala but Allegri hinted at a return for the Argentina international against Villarreal.
“I still need to decide who will play because I’m aware that some players need a rest,” Allegri said of his team for the Sampdoria clash.
“The good news is that Mattia De Sciglio and Alex Sandro are back with the team, and Juan Cuadrado feels fine. Federico Bernadeschi is suspended, but Danilo will definitely play. It will be his 100th game for Juventus, so how can he not play?
“Paulo Dybala is improving. He could be available for the Champions League, so could Leonardo Bonucci.
“On Sunday, Giorgio Chiellini should be back with the team. When the Champions League arrives, it’s like honey, it attracts everyone.”
