Juve, Allegri challenges Sporting: “We’re at home and we need to win”

Massimiliano Allegri, this is the week that decides Juve’s future between the cup, championship and appeal. Are you feeling more pressure?
«There’s always pressure at Juve and we have to work on the pitch to go to the cup finals and do well in the league. One step at a time, however: the team is solid and we need to continue on this line. We all come out of these experiences strengthened: all situations must become an opportunity and somewhere there is always a way out. We think of the field, the company to defend itself. Saturday’s defeat in Rome didn’t change the course: we scored 59 points, on the field we are the second strength in the championship. You may like it or not, but that’s how it is.”

What will Sporting find Juve?
«She has technique and is well organised, with a young coach who is doing well. It takes great respect and it is the first step to then go to the semifinals ».

They eliminated Arsenal in the round of 16 of the Europa League. Is it a warning for Juve?
«We would be crazy to take Sporting lightly. They have young players in terms of technique and flair, they are very different from those of 2017 that we challenged in the Champions League group stage”.

How is Vlahovic?
“He took a hit in the ankle, but he’s available. As well as Alex Sandro, while De Sciglio I hope to have him again on Sunday against Sassuolo».

Do you think there is a criticism regardless for Vlahovic?
«There were criticisms for Cristiano Ronaldo, when he didn’t score… Dusan is doing well on a technical level and he will find the goal again. They are career transitions and then he is 23 years old: sometimes things don’t go well, but he has to be serene and keep his balance. He has to go the distance like everyone else, just see Rabiot: last year someone didn’t even want to see him on the pitch… Opinions change like the wind here. Dusan is good, he’s young and he’s no less strong than he was when he arrived: I’m happy with what he’s doing ».

Are you more nervous than usual?
«The team isn’t nervous, but we too have blood in our veins: it would be a problem if water circulated… The reactions are there, but it doesn’t justify what happened with Inter. In Italy the wrong things are exalted, from words to behaviour: we are sorry for what happened, they are not nice things to see».

Is winning the trophy a possibility?
«Winning a match is easier, winning a cup is much more complex. There are strong teams and therefore you have to be very good, but returning to play in the final would be a great success: there are 4 games left, however, and we have to start well».

Does seeing Inter and the Italian derby in the Champions League increase your regret for Juve?
«I’m happy for Inter and tonight I’ll see Milan-Naples: what they’re doing is good for Italian football. If we are here, it means that we deserved it. We want to return to the Champions League, but I’m not surprised by Italian teams.”

Is Pogba ready?
He’s called up and we’ll see tomorrow, the important thing is that he didn’t stop and we hope to have him in the best possible condition. There are still many games to go: the season is still beautiful and long.

How many would it take like Danilo to have more adrenaline and less fear?
«Being afraid is a good sign, because it means having respect. I am lucky to have him, but also Bonucci, Perin, Pinsoglio, Cuadrado and Alex Sandro: people who have transmitted to young people what it means to be at Juve. We haven’t seen Pogba for a year, but many young people have. There was responsibility: they brought enthusiasm and the older ones gave balance».

Is there the hypothesis of a trident against Sporting’s 3-4-3?
«We need an aggressive match, we need to be compact and have balance. We have to win because we play at home. Apart from the away goal, you have to win one and draw another. The trident? Let’s see, but it doesn’t depend on the Sporting form».

What is the best version of Juve?
“The one who wins.”