Massimiliano Allegri

[Socrates 8386]

Allegri: Juventus were solid but
not great against AC Milan

The coach was not impressed with his side's performance, despite
their 1-0 victory, but says the result is the most important thing.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/723/serie-a/2015/11/22/17592912/-?

Nov 22, 2015

Massimiliano Allegri admitted Juventus did not put in their best performance of the season but were still solid in Saturday's 1-0 win over AC Milan.

Paulo Dybala scored the only goal of the game as title holders Juventus continued their climb up the Serie A table.

But Allegri knows Juve were not at their best against visitors Milan.

"It was a very complicated match because Milan defended well and caused us problems," he told Sky Sports Italia . "At the same time, we should've moved the ball better between the lines and it was not a good performance, but a solid one.

"The important thing was to win and go ahead of Milan in the Serie A table. Hopefully we’ll get a good result on Wednesday against Manchester City too.

"We allowed nothing except for that Alessio Cerci shot in stoppages. We’ve got to improve in terms of decision-making and not rushing the final ball.

"At least we are finding some consistency in results and that is important. It’s our second clean sheet at home after Atalanta. It might not have been a good game, but it was important to be solid.

"Unfortunately I had to make two substitutions through injury, as Patrice Evra and Hernanes needed to come off. The intention was to play with a trequartista, though Hernanes got a little bottle-necked in the middle.

"Claudio Marchisio is getting back to the player we all knew. Stefano Sturaro and Mario Mandzukic did well. Paul Pogba did very well and helped set up the goal, but after that was playing to the crowd a bit too much."

Allegri also praised goal-scorer Dybala and said the 22-year-old Argentina international is constantly improving.

"I was always convinced of his quality, but it's normal he needed time to settle. Dybala is growing, he has important abilities and did very well between the lines," he said.

"He works hard too and in time he’ll become a great support striker. He's changing physically too and you can see the difference in his legs."

[Socrates 8386]

Simone Pepe: Massimiliano Allegri deserves
credit for Juventus upturn

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/italian-serie-a/story/2730036/simone-pepe-allegri-deserves-credit-for-juventus-upturn?

Nov 27, 2015

Former Juventus midfielder Simone Pepe has praised coach Massimiliano Allegri for turning the club's fortunes around after their difficult start to the season.

Juve made the joint worst start to a season in their history after losing stars such as Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal, Carlos Tevez, Fernando Llorente and Kingsley Coman in the summer.

However, three wins in a row in Serie A and Wednesday's 1-0 Champions League victory over Manchester City have lifted the mood.

Juve are still nine points behind leaders Inter Milan, but are now sixth and through to the knockout stages of the Champions League with a game to spare.

Pepe said: "There have been big changes at Juventus, but they have rediscovered the right rhythm now and this is to Allegri's merit," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"I've heard a lot of criticism of the coach for the way he's managed Dybala, but I remember how well he managed Morata last year and how he then became fundamental in the second half of the season.

"Dybala's going to become a great player, but he needs to be given time to mature without any pressure."

[Socrates 8386]

Allegri snubbed for Coach of the Year

http://www.football-italia.net/76477/allegri-snubbed-coach-year?

Nov 30, 2015

Juventus Coach Massimiliano Allegri has not been nominated for FIFA’s Coach of the Year award.

The Bianconeri won the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia last season, as well as reaching the Champions League final.

However, a poor start to this season appears to have undermined Allegri’s standing for the award, which is based on a calendar year, as he has not received a nomination.

Barcelona’s Luis Enrique has been nominated, after leading the Catalan giants to the treble last season, beating Allegri’s Juve in the Champions League final.

The Blaugrana are top of La Liga this term, with a number of eye-catching results, including beating Real Madrid 4-0 in the Clasico and Roma 6-1 in the Champions League.

Bayern Munich’s Pep Guardiola and Chile CT Jorge Sampaoli are the other tacticians nominated, the latter having won the Copa America.

For the Ballon d’Or, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both make the top three, the fifth time in a row the pair have both been up for the award.

Messi’s Barcelona teammate Neymar is the third player nominated, and will be looking to break the Messi-Ronaldo hegemony.

Including France Football’s Ballon d’Or, which became the FIFA Ballon d’Or in 2010, no player outside of that pair has won the award since Kaka in 2007.

Messi has been awarded the Ballon d’Or on four occasions, most recently in 2012, while Ronaldo has three wins, including the last two.

In addition, since 2008, the top two have been Messi and Ronaldo, with the exception of 2010 where Andres Iniesta was runner-up.

[Socrates 8386]

Man Utd like Allegri?

http://www.football-italia.net/76552/man-utd-allegri?

Dec 2, 2015

Italian reports today suggest Manchester United want Juventus Coach Massimiliano Allegri to replace Louis van Gaal.

La Repubblica writes that the Premier League giants are interested in Allegri and considering him as a replacement for the Dutchman.

The report says that the club like his style of play and courage and are already discussing the possibility, although the 48-year-old’s contract runs until 2017.

It appears unlikely that the Old Lady would be willing to let Allegri go before then as it could be difficult to find a top-level replacement.

The newspaper believes the Bianconeri wouldn’t want to wrestle Fiorentina for Paulo Sousa and that President Andrea Agnelli isn’t enthusiastic about the return of current Italy CT Antonio Conte.

[Socrates 8386]

Four Allegri alternatives?

http://www.football-italia.net/76596/four-allegri-alternatives?

Dec 3, 2015

Reports name four alternatives to Massimiliano Allegri should the Juventus Coach leave, including Italy CT Antonio Conte.

Allegri was yesterday linked with replacing Louis van Gaal at Manchester United, and is believed to be tempted by a move to the Premier League.

Tuttosport write today that it would be difficult for the former Milan Coach to say no to the Red Devils should he be approached and that Bianconeri President Andrea Agnelli and director Beppe Marotta have four preferred replacements.

The first is Conte, whose contract with Italy runs out after Euro 2016, although Milan, Roma and Chelsea are also believed to be monitoring him.

France Coach and former Juve midfielder Didier Deschamps has also been linked, another who has already coached the club when he won Serie B in 2006/07.

Sevilla’s Unai Emery, who was linked with Napoli and Milan in the summer, and Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone are the final two names to be suggested by the newspaper.

However, the latter recently renewed his contract in Spain until 2020 and would therefore be a more difficult target.

[Socrates 8386]

Allegri plays down Manchester United links

The Juventus manager insists he is happy in Turin after rumours that he was being
lined up by the Red Devils to replace Louis van Gaal in the Old Trafford hotseat.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2015/12/03/17963542/-?

Dec 3, 2015

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has played down reports linking him with the Manchester United job and insists he is happy in Turin.

The former Milan boss, who led Juve to a league and cup double last season, is the latest coach to be named as a possible replacement for Louis van Gaal.

However, the 48-year-old told reporters he is not looking to move on.

"I'm focused on objectives, which is more important than rumours," he said.

"I have a contract here until 2017 and I am very happy to coach Juventus.

"I remain fully focused on achieving the very important targets that we have here."

"Next month it will be the January [transfer window] and you will be moving players [not managers] from one place to another - we are just thinking about what we have to do this year.”

After a slow start to the campaign, last season’s Champions League runners-up have slowly began to move up the Serie A table.
Going into this weekend’s fixtures, they sit fifth, seven points behind leaders Napoli.

"It will be a complicated and difficult match," Allegri added ahead of Friday’s clash with Lazio.

"Against Empoli, they did not deserve to lose the game and against Palermo they played well, so it’s going to be tough.

"They are out for revenge because of Shanghai and the Coppa Italia, while we can’t afford a slip up in the league because of the situation we’re in.”

[Socrates 8386]

Allegri: ‘Juve lost their spirit’

http://www.football-italia.net/76820/allegri-%E2%80%98juve-lost-their-spirit%E2%80%99?

Dec 8, 2015

Juventus ‘lost their spirit’ at the end of last season after ‘a tremendous expense of physical and mental energy’, says Massimiliano Allegri.

The Bianconeri were beaten by Barcelona in the Champions League final, but completed a league and cup double in Italy.

However, they started sluggishly this season and Allegri has pointed to the reasons that he believes the club hit such a slump on the back of a successful campaign.

“Regardless of injuries, the arrival of new players and sales, after the great season last year and victory in the Supercoppa in August an environment was created in which it appeared that Juventus had to win every game 3-0,” he said to El Pais.

“I said after a friendly in the summer: I don’t like the vibe you’re giving. Juventus must fight, suffer and run to win games.

“And we lost this spirit. After four years in which Juventus won everything, a drop in pressure is physiological.

“Last year was a season with a tremendous expense of physical and mental energy.

“In those moments you don’t notice because you live in the wake of the enthusiasm, but for the first time since I’ve been coaching, after the final in Berlin, I turned off the phone and I left football for a month. So for me as well it was difficult to start again.

"I've always said that the group was heterogeneous but not homogeneous. We're still trying to be a homogenous group.

“The players have to acclimatise, get acquainted with the situation, get used to the pressure, and find the best physical and mental form.”

[Socrates 8386]

Juventus will reach Champions League
final if they beat Bayern - coach Allegri

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/uefa-champions-league/story/2757780/juventus-to-reach-ucl-final-if-they-beat-bayern-allegri

Dec 15, 2015

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri believes his side will reach the Champions League final for a second year running if they can beat Bayern Munich in this season's round of 16, while Bayern boss Pep Guardiola thinks the Italian champions were one of the toughest possible opponents in the draw.

The Bianconeri lost 3-1 to Barcelona in last season's final in Berlin, and their hopes of going one better this term have been hit by being pitted against Bayern, who have reached at least the semifinals in the past four years since they were last knocked out in the round of 16 by another Italian club -- Inter Milan -- in 2011.

Allegri believes that the path to next year's final at Milan's San Siro stadium will be easier going if they can knock out the Bundesliga champions when the competition resumes in the spring.

"At least this way we would be getting rid of the biggest threat immediately," he said at an awards ceremony in Turin on Monday night. "If we win, we're in the final. If we lose, we'll focus on the league."

Guardiola is wary of his Italian opponents, and reacted to news of the fixture by joking: "Thank you very much, draw!"

In his third year at the club, Guardiola has firmly set his sights at finally reaching the final of Europe's biggest club competition with Bayern, after being eliminated by Spanish clubs at the semifinal stage in both his seasons in charge.

In 2014, they were eliminated by Real Madrid, and last season Guardiola's former club Barcelona came out on top. Both sides went on to lift the trophy.

"Juve are one of the best teams in Europe," Guardiola commented at his prematch news conference for Bayern's cup match against SV Darmstadt. "They played the final last season.

"They can play with four at the back, or five at the back. Juve are the toughest draw, alongside Paris Saint-Germain."

The Catalan coach added: "We are set for two incredible games. Juventus have a big mentality. The mood in the club is: Win, win, win!"

In recent years, a number of players have turned out for both clubs. Bayern's 2013 Champions League winner Mario Mandzukic is set to take to the field for Juventus, whom he joined from Atletico Madrid prior to the season.

The Croatia international had left Munich in 2014 following difficulties with Guardiola, but the Bayern boss said that he's looking forward to the meeting with his former attacker, who was replaced by Robert Lewandowski.

"I don't have any problem with Mandzukic," Guardiola said. "I am delighted to see him again. The people will welcome him with respect."

FC Bayern English ✔ @FCBayernEN
.@kingarturo23's: "I am very happy! It will be a wonderful match. I still have a lot of friends in Turin."

Arturo Vidal and Kingsley Coman both moved from Turin to Bavaria in the summer, and Chile international Vidal told a news conference: "I would have preferred to play them in the final.

"They are very strong. They might have had some difficulties at the beginning of the season, but that's normal because there were many transfers."

[Socrates 8386]

Allegri dodges Oscar questions

http://www.football-italia.net/77225/allegri-dodges-oscar-questions?

Dec 16, 2015

Max Allegri dodged questions on Chelsea star Oscar, refusing to answer whether Juventus were making an approach.

The Coach spoke to Rai Sport after a 4-0 Coppa Italia victory over local rivals Torino.

“The English tabloids write a lot of things!” he replied when asked about the reports of an Oscar bid.

“Juventus have an excellent squad, the club will evaluate if there’s anything to be done. If we do sign anyone, he has to be worthy of Juventus.

“There’s no point just signing someone for the sake of it, he has to fit into the project and be at the same level as these players.

“Now let’s focus on the game with Carpi, who in my view have the quality and characteristics to stay in Serie A, from Marco Borriello to Gabriel Silva and Luca Marrone. I think they are underestimated and so on Sunday it will be very difficult for us.

“It’s also an early kick-off, which is strange for us, and winning away is never easy in Serie A.”

[Socrates 8386]

Allegri vs Conte for Chelsea?

http://www.football-italia.net/77275/allegri-vs-conte-chelsea?

Dec 18, 2015

Juventus Coach Max Allegri and the Azzurri's Antonio Conte may be rivals once again to take Chelsea's bench.

The clamorous sacking of Jose Mourinho from Chelsea resulted in a storm of speculation which covered more than the mere question of his succession.

Among the narratives being explored by the media there is the possibility of an old Italian rivalry being reignited.

According to Calciomercato.com, Allegri and Conte are both being touted to join Chelsea next summer.

Allegri replaced Conte at the helm of Juventus in summer 2014, and comparisons between the two have abounded, even of a very harsh nature.

Conte's future is open to discussion, as the Coach himself recently reiterated, while Allegri is currently not expected to leave Juventus.

[Socrates 8386]

Juventus Coach Fascinated By
Job Opportunities In England

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/12/juventus-coach-fascinated-by-job-opportunities-in-england/?

Dec 18, 2015

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri is apparently fascinated by the prospect of one day coaching a side in the English Premier League.

Several high-profile jobs in England’s top flight have become available in recent years, including the Manchester United role becoming vacant on two occasions while Liverpool and Chelsea have both opted for new coaches, and current Juventus coach Allegri may one day associate himself with an opportunity there.

Although there is no suggestion that the Italian would depart Juventus any time soon, it remains an ambition of his to try his luck in the United Kingdom, according to Sky Sport Italia.

He may opt to re-evaluate his position at the end of this current season with the Old Lady, perhaps after Euro 2016 where former Bianconeri coach Antonio Conte may be looking for a return.

Conte’s blueprint allowed Allegri to replicate his long-standing success last season, and although the transition process was slow burning this time around, aided by high-profile sales in the summer, Allegri’s signings have started to become more prominent as Juventus have climbed the table in recent weeks.

[Socrates 8386]

Juventus Climb Table Thanks to Decisions
and Patience of Massimiliano Allegri

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2601056-juventus-climb-table-thanks-to-decisions-and-patience-of-massimiliano-allegri?

Dec 22, 2015

Having registered seven consecutive league wins, Juventus enter Serie A’s traditional winter break in a strong position, as that run has seen them climb up to fourth in the table. Making up 10 places in little over two months, the Bianconeri can reflect on a dramatic improvement over that same period.

Indeed, the first half of 2015/16 has seen the Turin-based club endure some difficult times, with Massimiliano Allegri’s coaching position seemingly under threat after overseeing just three victories in their opening 10 matches.

He never seemed overly concerned however, radiating confidence during an interview with the Independent, during which he admitted that Juve’s summer overhaul was vital if the Old Lady was to remain successful.

“In order to take the team forward we knew it was time to change,” Allegri said as he reflected on a transfer window that saw no fewer than nine new players added to the squad while the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez moved on.

The Bianconeri understandably needed time to regroup, but the coach was criticised for his handling of a number of those summer acquisitions, with perhaps his management of Paulo Dybala at the forefront of that.

“The Dybala case is causing Allegri problems,” proclaimed the front page of Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia) back in October, while the president of the striker’s former club Palermo was even more outspoken on the matter.

“Allegri is on track to ruin Dybala," Maurizio Zamparini in an interview with Radio Sportiva (h/t FourFourTwo), only for the Argentinian to eventually become the side’s most influential player in the weeks since.

Having now weighed in with 10 goals and three assists in all competitions, there is little room left for criticism, and Stephan El Shaarawy—who broke into the Milan side during Allegri’s time there—believes the coach handled it perfectly.

“Allegri did a good job with me and I think he's doing it with Dybala,” he told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport (h/t Football Italia). “With young people it takes patience, then if they are good they have another 16 years to play.”

The same can also be said of Alex Sandro, with the Brazilian initially sitting on the bench as Patrice Evra continued to hold down his slot at left-back. Slowly, however, he too would force his way into the starting XI and deliver crucial assists in crucial fixtures against Torino, Milan and Manchester City.

Daniele Rugani has also featured prominently in the last two games, starting in Juve’s Coppa Italia last-16 outing before coming on as a substitute in the win over Carpi. With Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli both the wrong side of 30, the youngster is perfectly positioned to step up and replace them.

Allegri called Rugani “the future of Juventus” at a press conference, and just as with his aforementioned team-mates, it seems the coach has timed his introduction perfectly, with the player himself fully aware of the situation.

“I’ve only just started at Juventus and I knew that it wouldn’t be easy,” Rugani said in an interview with La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport, and it has clearly been equally difficult for his new boss over the past few months.

For his part, Allegri is clear as to the reasons for their resurgence, telling a recent press conference that his team is “playing with more confidence now and we're approaching and managing games better too.”

“There's no secret, just hard work and maintaining a sense of perspective,“ he continued, Massimiliano Allegri perhaps highlighting the qualities he brings to the team that have helped steer him through that difficult period.

[Socrates 8386]

Massimiliano Allegri emerges as Chelsea target

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/chelsea/news/allegri-emerges-as-chelsea-target_262684.html

Dec 22, 2015

Chelsea have reportedly earmarked Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri as a contender to become the club's new manager at the end of the season.

The Blues have been heavily linked with the likes of Pep Guardiola and Diego Simeone as the permanent successor to Jose Mourinho, who parted company with the club last week following nine defeats in his opening 16 Premier League games of the campaign.

Guardiola has already confirmed that he will be leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the 2015-16 season, although a number of clubs, including Manchester City, are understood to be interested in the Spaniard.

Simeone, meanwhile, has insisted that he is happy at Atletico Madrid, forcing Roman Abramovich to consider other targets should his two preferred choices turn him down.

According to the Evening Standard, Allegri is next in line having impressed the Stamford Bridge hierarchy by guiding Juventus to the domestic double and the Champions League final last season.

Allegri has also previously won the Serie A title with AC Milan, and has twice been named the Italian top flight's manager of the year.

Italy boss Antonio Conte, who Allegri replaced at Juve, has also been linked with the job once Guus Hiddink's interim reign ends this summer.

[Socrates 8386]

ALLEGRI: ‘JUVENTUS WON’T PARK THE BUS AGAINST BAYERN’

http://www.juvefc.com/8019-2/?

Dec 24, 2015

Max Allegri believes Juve v Bayern will be “a beautiful game” and insists he won’t be parking the bus against the German champions.

Speakign to Corriere della Sera. the Juve coach talked all things Bayern Munich while also dispensing some advice for young players.

“Will Pep Guardiola leaving change anything? No, in fact the year he announced his arrival and Heynckes announced his departure they lifted the trophy.” Allegri told the Italian daily.

“Will we park the bus? No, it will be beautiful game. We have to prepare well to go to the Quarter-Finals, and come out stronger to face the sprint in the League.

“The European showcase is important. After the final in Berlin , the international popularity of Juve changed.

“The League counts, and you have to win it, but the Champions League is seen all over the world and we always have to get to at least the Last 16.”

Allegri was asked whether he would continue coaching into his later years.

“No. I hope my daughter will give me grandchildren, and if the Lord gives me the opportunity to feel good then I want to enjoy my life.

“You have to go out as a winner.

“Life is to be lived – within the rules, and without hurting anyone – if you live passively and with sadness every day then what’s the point?”

The Juve coach also discussed the period after his dismissal from AC Milan.

“What did I do in my sabbatical? I went to London to see games. Why? Because there are 12 teams, and above all to speak English.

“How am I doing? I have to be freer in conversation, but I’m making strides.

“A colleague I’d invite to dinner? Guardiola, he’s caused me the most difficulty. He’s unique in changing the team on the pitch during the game.

“And a historical figure? Since he always preached calm and patience, [Mahatma] Gandhi.

“What will I give my four-year-old son for Christmas? I wish I could give him the values that I received. In today’s world we’re at risk of losing them.

“Young lads are very weak psychologically, because while technology is very useful it has decreased human interaction.”

Allegri then turned his attention to Juve’s upcoming league fixtures.

“In the return fixtures we play Roma, Napoli and Inter at home? It’s normal that can be an advantage.

“At Milan the year we won the League we won two derbies and two head-to-head clashes with Napoli. The big matches will be very important.

“Inter? They’re handling things well, the defeat to Lazio aside. They have a Coach who knows how to win.

“We have room for improvement, we can have a great season. We started with 10 new players, and with some uncertainty having lost some guarantees.

“After the success in Shanghai we started disastrously. Now the team is consistent.

“We have to continue like this, the team is growing and we mustn’t stop. Maintaining our position does not exist.”

[Socrates 8386]

‘Juventus can have a great season’

http://www.football-italia.net/77549/%E2%80%98juventus-can-have-great-season%E2%80%99

Dec 26, 2015

Coach Massimiliano Allegri believes Juventus can have “a great season” but there is still “room for improvement”.

The Bianconeri have won seven Serie A games in a row, putting them firmly back into the Scudetto picture after a difficult start.

“In the return fixtures we play Roma, Napoli and Inter at home? It’s normal that can be an advantage,” Allegri admitted, speaking to Corriere della Sera.

“At Milan the year we won the League we won two derbies and two head-to-head clashes with Napoli. The big matches will be very important.

“Inter? They’re handling things well, the defeat to Lazio aside. They have a Coach [Roberto Mancini] who knows how to win.

“We have room for improvement, but we can have a great season. We started with 10 new players, and with some uncertainty having lost some guarantees.

“After the Supercoppa success in Shanghai we started disastrously. Now the team is consistent.

“We have to continue like this, the team is growing and we mustn’t stop. Maintaining our position does not exist.”

Allegri became the subject of internet memes with his furious outburst in the win over Carpi, and is able to have a laugh at his own expense.

“Do you know what my mother told me before the game? ‘You have a cough, don’t yell or you’ll lose your voice’!”

[Socrates 8386]

Marotta: ‘Allegri sacking not considered’

http://www.football-italia.net/77614/marotta-%E2%80%98allegri-sacking-not-considered%E2%80%99

Dec 28, 2015

Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta says the club ‘absolutely never considered sacking Massimiliano Allegri.’

The Bianconeri Coach was rumoured to be under pressure at the beginning of the season after a woeful start, but the team have since rallied with seven straight wins.

"There has absolutely never been the possibility of sacking Allegri,” Marotta told Domenica Sportiva.

“I think that the initial results of a team can never induce the club to make such a decision.

“You decide to make a sacking when elements of harmony between the Coach and the team don’t exist anymore.

“There wasn’t any kind of doubt, and so it was never in our heads to discuss the Coach.

“Allegri’s sense of humour and irony is his strong suit.

“As a Coach he’s a good professional who with his phlegm and calmness has been able to bring back the results that Juve had previously obtained."

[Socrates 8386]

Italian Coaches wanted in Europe

http://www.football-italia.net/77674/italian-coaches-wanted-europe?

Dec 30, 2015

Azzurri Coach Antonio Conte, Juventus' Max Allegri and Leicester City's Claudio Ranieri are in high demand, say reports, starting a domino effect.

The recent displacements in international coaching, on from the sacking of Jose Mourinho from Chelsea and the projected exchange of Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti at Bayern Munich, are causing ripples that influence Italian football substantially.

According to La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport, Conte is the object of desire for several clubs in the Premier League, most notably Manchester United for next season.

The 46-year-old's preference is believed to be Paris Saint-Germain, even though recent reports suggested he was open to the possibility of working with Roma.

Arsenal is also believed to be after Conte, but they are equally interested in Allegri, who might leave Juventus at the end of this season regardless of the result.

But Allegri is also an option for Chelsea, as is Ranieri, after his surprising campaign with Leicester City.

Any of these movements could cause a whole after-effect of signings and dismissals in Serie A.

Orphaned of Allegri, Juventus would reportedly mount an assault for Fiorentina's Paulo Sousa, or even think of a dramatic return of Conte.

This would result in a clash with Roma and Milan, whose first choice is also the Azzurri Coach, and whose alternatives include the likes of Sassuolo's Eusebio Di Francesco and Luciano Spalletti.

[Socrates 8386]

A New Year's Resolution for Juventus Boss Massimiliano Allegri

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2602363-a-new-years-resolution-for-juventus-boss-massimiliano-allegri?

Dec 30, 2015

January 1 is fast approaching, meaning it is time for the annual round of promises for us to keep as one year draws to an end and another begins. New Year’s resolutions are tough to make, but perhaps Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri has one to keep which could see his side enjoy a fine 2016.

As discussed in this earlier post, the coach can reflect happily on his previous 12 months as he led the Turin giants to a string of impressive results, but he will certainly be looking to match those feats again this time around.

Overcoming a poor start and having won their last seven league fixtures, Juventus are now perfectly poised to do just that, a matter Allegri himself noted in an interview with the Corriere della Sera just last week.

“We have room for improvement, but we can have a great season,” he said (h/t Football Italia). “We started with 10 new players, and with some uncertainty having lost some guarantees.”

OptaPaolo ✔ @OptaPaolo
7 - Massimiliano Allegri has won seven consecutive league games for the first time in the Serie A. Confidence.

Going on to add that “the team is growing and we mustn’t stop,” the former Milan chief hit upon something that should form the basis of his resolution for 2016, which is to push Alvaro Morata back to prominence.

The Spanish striker has struggled to match the impact he had last term, netting just three goals in all competitions so far this season. The last of those came in the October 4 victory over Bologna, and since that date he has started just eight matches as he has slipped down Allegri’s pecking order in attack.

Given the form of Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala that is little surprise, the former becoming deadly in front of goal while the latter continues to impress with both his scoring and his all-round play.

Dybala’s growing importance was discussed in detail here, but Juventus must hope that Morata—who was vital to their march to the Champions League final last term—can rediscover his best form quickly.

The problem first reared its head in pre-season, with the player substituted against Lechia Gdansk not long after being introduced from the bench. Allegri lambasted his poor attitude in his post-match interview.

“It wasn’t Morata’s day and I didn’t like his attitude,” the coach told reporters per Football Italia. “That is why I asked him to get off the pitch. He made me angry on the pitch, but then he was good as he went off to train by himself.”

The tension rumbled on, but there is hope for the future, particularly looking closely at Morata’s performances in 2014/15. Indeed, just four of his tally of 15 goals last term came before the Christmas break, putting him in a very similar position to this term as he once again looks to earn a place in the first-choice XI.
Allegri insists there is no problem between him and the striker, explaining the situation to a press conference ahead of the Lazio match earlier this month as he told reporters (h/t Football Italia):

Morata is an extraordinary player who is regaining a good physical and mental condition. There’s no problem with him. Against City I assured him, I didn’t yell at him. He must give a lot to Juventus and I demand a lot from him as I do from [simone] Zaza, who did well when he came on against Palermo.

Now behind Mandzukic and Dybala rather than Fernando Llorente and Carlo Tevez, Morata is in a similar position to last year, and Allegri must make a major attempt to help the 23-year-old become a central figure once again.

[Socrates 8386]

Chelsea To Consider Move For Juventus Coach

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/12/chelsea-to-consider-move-for-juventus-coach/?

Dec 30, 2015

Struggling Premier League champions Chelsea are reportedly considering making a move to bring Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri to West London.

Following the departure of Jose Mourinho from the Stamford Bridge side earlier this month, Guus Hiddink has taken temporary charge at the Blues until the end of the season, but the club are still searching for a long-term successor.

The Metro report that billionaire owner Roman Abramovich is considering Allegri, having been impressed with his success at the Bianconeri last season, when the tactician guided the club to their fourth successive Scudetto, triumph in the Coppa Italia and to the Champions League final in Berlin, where they lost out to Barcelona.

Juventus, too, started their title defence poorly. However, the Old Lady have since recovered and Allegri’s men now find themselves in fourth place, just three points behind Serie A leaders Inter.

[Socrates 8386]

Lippi: 'Allegri just like me'

http://www.football-italia.net/77671/lippi-allegri-just-me

Dec 30, 2015

World Cup-winning Coach Marcello Lippi says Massimo Allegri resembles him: 'He's concrete and flexible, but against Bayern Munich it's tough'.

The tactician from Viareggio had a varied career after the unfortunate 2010 World Cup campaign, including a coaching experience with Guangzhou Evergrande in China.

“But I wouldn't like someone to think that I'm trying to market myself,” he told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. “That's not my case.

“I said enough with China, but I wasn't tired of football, I just wanted to be closer to home. I do have a craving for football, I find myself watching matches and thinking what I would do, who I'd sub off and on.

“If a chance comes up, then great. Otherwise, it's fine all the same.”

The 67-year-old promoted the idea that coaches are now worth as much as top players.

“The idea that a Coach counts for 20 per cent at most is now obsolete. It's just not true, and it wasn't that way for [Jose] Mourinho, [Fabio] Capello, [Louis] Van Gaal or myself.

“The top players themselves expect a strong and confident guide. Not a father, or a brother, or a nice guy, but someone who makes you win and improves your contract.

“At this level it's not just the technical competence that makes a difference. Everyone is highly organised, with an identity.

“The Coach has to be a competent expert, capable of getting into the head of his players and bringing out the best.

“There are some who are excellent in terms of methodology but who struggle in interpreting the players and their adaptability to their game.

“And others who are less 'scientific', but who understand everything with down-to-earth wisdom and can choose the right players. Like [Osvaldo] Bagnoli: he knew how to win and show a spectacular football.”

Lippi then discussed Juventus Coach Max Allegri, whom he claims resembles him in several ways.

“Starting from his signing for Juve at the age of 46. He is concrete, he has good technical-tactical knowledge, and he can change things over the season or even over the same game, the way I used to do.

“And he's brave. It's not like everyone to bench [Alvaro] Morata and notice the anger and the hardness in [Mario] Mandzukic to start a fantastic comeback that nobody believed in any longer.

“Likewise for the idea of a return to the 3-5-2. It's a shame about the KO against Sevilla, it was avoidable and it changes the Champions League.

“Bayern Munich are one of the strongest. But judging by [Coach Pep] Guardiola's expression you could tell he wasn't too happy either.”

[Socrates 8386]

RUMOURS: Allegri eyes Man United and Chelsea jobs

The Italian is reportedly taking English lessons in a bid
to prepare himself for one of the Premier League's top jobs.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2015/12/31/18853622/-?

Dec 31, 2015

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri reportedly has his eyes set on taking over at Manchester United or Chelsea, according to the Daily Mirror.

The former AC Milan coach won Serie A last season and guided his side to the Champions League final, where the Bianconeri were beaten by Barcelona.

Juventus are back in contention for the league title again this term as well after recovering from a poor start to the campaign.

However, Allegri has just 18 months remaining on his contract and could depart this summer if United part ways with Louis van Gaal or Abramovich makes a move for his services.

[Socrates 8386]

Allegri tipped for Premier League

http://www.football-italia.net/77708/allegri-tipped-premier-league?

Dec 31, 2015

English papers tip Juventus boss Max Allegri to take over at Chelsea or Manchester United next season.

There have already been reports in the Italian Press that Allegri is learning English and fascinated by the idea of working in the Premier League.

Now the Daily Mirror’s back page story suggests the 48-year-old is among the hot favourites for both Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford benches.

Allegri is under contract with Juventus until June 2017 and last term came close to an historic Treble, winning the Scudetto, Coppa Italia and reaching the Champions League Final.

That earned him a nomination for FIFA’s World Coach of the Year award.

Italian media maintain current Italy manager – and Allegri’s predecessor at Juve – Antonio Conte is also in the running for both Chelsea and Manchester United.

[Socrates 8386]

3 Ways Massimiliano Allegri Can Make Juventus Better in 2016

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2604690-3-ways-massimiliano-allegri-can-make-juventus-better-in-2016?

Jan 4, 2016

It'll be hard to find a better calendar year in the annals of Juventus history than 2015. The Italian giants cruised to a fourth consecutive Serie A title, won the Coppa Italia for the first time in 20 years and battled their way to the Champions League final, where they lost a hard-fought match 3-1 to Barcelona.

When the new season came around, it looked like 2015 might need to be split in two for posterity. The team lost three of their first six games and were left in 12th place after 10 rounds—12 points behind the leaders.

Then, in concert with a few important returns from injury, the Bianconeri surged. Seven consecutive wins have propelled them into fourth place, only three points behind leaders Inter. With the majority of their big games coming at home, there is a growing feeling that the champions could defend their crown after all.

What can coach Massimiliano Allegri do to make sure that Juve's 2016 is even better? Let's take a look at three things that will make the coming year just as memorable.


Figure Out the Right Formation

This has been a constant question for Juve since the departure of Antonio Conte in 2014. Allegri initially kept the team in the 3-5-2 that the former head coach had used to dominate Serie A for his three-year tenure.

This was a prudent move. Conte's abrupt departure had been traumatic, and there was little time to try to install an entirely new system. Instead, Allegri let the team do what it knew.

While the results certainly came in the league—Juve won its first six games and took 25 of a the first 30 points available in the league—they struggled in the Champions League, losing two of their first three games.

It was clear that while the team could function in the 3-5-2 under Allegri, the new coach didn't quite know how to get the best out of it. Conte's system was rigorously rehearsed on the training ground and often used pre-set movements to get results. Tactics made the chances, individual quality finished them.

Allegri, while no tactical slouch himself, is much more a proponent of individual skill being the creative impetus of an attack than Conte—and it was clear that the 3-5-2 wasn't built for that kind of game.

Staring down a must-win game against Olympiakos in the Champions League at the beginning of November 2014, Allegri switched to a 4-3-1-2. Juve gritted out a 3-1 win and used the 4-3-1-2 as their primary formation for the rest of the year, bringing in Andrea Barzagli for the 3-5-2 late in games to protect leads.

That's what everyone expected would happen this season, but Giuseppe Marotta's failure to bring in a quality trequartista in the summer transfer window (Hernanes doesn't count) and an injury to Roberto Pereyra has limited Allegri's ability to deploy his favorite formation.

He's utilized Juan Cuadrado's ability to play the wing to set up in a 4-3-3 on several occasions. Early in October, he covered for an injury crisis at right-back by lining up the Colombian and Barzagli in an intriguing 4-3-3/3-5-2 hybrid that produced results against Sevilla and Bologna. While Pereyra has been absent, the 3-5-2 has again become the default—at least for now.

This tactical instability was a major contributor to Juve's early-season struggles. Their current seven-game winning streak has been mostly achieved in the 3-5-2, showing just how important being stable in the lineup can be.

But the 3-5-2 is still Allegri's forte. Few of the wins in their seven-game string came easy. The 3-0 victory over Palermo at the end of November was a 1-0 game until Stefano Sturaro and Simone Zaza scored in the 89th and 93rd minutes, respectively.

The tie-breaking goals in their 3-1 victory over Fiorentina on December 13 didn't come until the last 10 minutes, and they spurned several chances to truly put Carpi to the sword before the winter break, allowing the Serie A debutants a golden chance to equalize in stoppage time.

When Pereyra recovers from his injury—or if they acquire another trequartista in the transfer market— the 4-3-1-2 should probably become the default again. It fits Allegri's style better than the 3-5-2, which will still be valuable in late-game situations.

Whatever Allegri chooses, it should stay the default, lest the same instability plague them in the season's crucial stretch run.


Get Alvaro Morata Back on Track

Alvaro Morata was one of Juve's most important players in 2015. While his goal total wasn't huge in terms of quantity, it was the quality that was impressive.

Morata scored in five consecutive Champions League games this year. That tied the club record held by the legendary Alessandro Del Piero, and they all came in massive situations.

The young Spaniard scored the decisive goal in both legs of the UCL semifinal against Real Madrid—his former team—and the equalizer in the final. In this year's group-stage opener, he scored a stupendous winner against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium and the opener against Sevilla two weeks later, fueling big wins that allowed them to emerge from this season's Group of Death despite their early-season struggles.

The 23-year-old threw in a winner against Inter in the final Derby d'Italia of the year as well.

But Morata has fallen off since then. Part of his dip in form can be chalked up to his playing out of position when Allegri experimented with a 4-3-3 earlier in the season. Another can be blamed on the form of Mario Mandzukic, who is finally scoring and keeping himself on the field by doing so.

Fortunately, Morata isn't that far off. His performance in the return against Sevilla on December 8, while frustrating, was also a good sign. The forward was getting himself into incredibly dangerous positions, but he fell victim to both rust and an incredible goalkeeping performance by Sergio Rico.

It's clear that he isn't that far off hitting his stride again. His performance against Torino in the Coppa Italia a week after the Sevilla game was proof of that. He was again in dangerous spots, and he provided assists on two of Juve's four tallies in the 4-1 demolition of their city rivals.

All Morata needs is some consistent playing time to get his considerable talents in line. If Allegri gives it to him, the trio of Morata, Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala will be a fearsome one.


Incorporate Alex Sandro More Frequently

The signing of Patrice Evra in 2014 was always meant to be a stop-gap solution to allow for the Bianconeri to find a more long-term left-back in the summer of 2015. The fact that the Frenchman played so well—and continues to do so—is a welcome bonus to the move.

But that long-term left-back did arrive this summer in the form of Alex Sandro. The 24-year-old was signed from Porto for €26 million and is signed with the team until 2020. He has been eased into the lineup, only playing eight games to Evra's 14.

To be clear, Evra hasn't done anything particularly worthy of a benching. To the contrary, he's been fantastic, supplying a goal and two assists while averaging 2.1 tackles and one interception per game, according to WhoScored.com.

But Sandro has earned more playing time. He's a dynamic attacker whether he's playing as a wing-back or a traditional full-back and has performed well defensively as well. He has also supplied two excellent assists in games against Torino and AC Milan that turned out to be decisive.

Sandro is the future on the left flank, and his crossing ability could be a decisive difference in their attacking play.

Even with Evra playing well, getting Sandro consistent playing time will make Juventus better.

[Socrates 8386]

Allegri: ‘Juventus don’t need signings’

http://www.football-italia.net/77885/allegri-%E2%80%98juventus-don%E2%80%99t-need-signings%E2%80%99?

Jan 5, 2016

Coach Massimiliano Allegri says Juventus will only sign players “who can improve us” in January.

The Bianconeri are competing in Serie A, the Champions League and the Coppa Italia, but the tactician doesn’t believe the club will be active on the transfer market.

“In terms of the transfer market, we’re on the 5th of January,” Allegri noted in his Press conference ahead of the Verona match.

“We’ve already discussed things with the club, we talked about strategy and evaluations. Don’t ask me for names, surnames, types of players because I won’t speak about that.

“What I will say is that in a squad which is already competitive, we can only include players who will improve us. That’s it. Full stop.

“Apart from all that, I’m not the driving force behind it, because I don’t deal with the transfer market.

“That said, that January transfer window is long, because when the window is open there’s always instability.

“Fortunately we have a very competitive squad, which only a select few players could improve. I won’t talk any more about the transfer market, because we have a game tomorrow and I think that’s the most important thing.

“Let’s not forget that two months ago we were in 12th place, and everyone said it was all over.

“That’s the first thing we have to make clear, the second is - and the last three minutes against Carpi come to mind here - we have to make fewer mistakes, so we don’t throw away wins.

“In fact, I’ll tell you, Carpi’s last minute chance: I watched it with the lads the other day, and I was scared to look because I thought they’d score!

“You have to take the positives out of a negative, because we had three ugly minutes and I hope it’ll be a lesson for the future.

“As for the fact of us being in the Scudetto race, there are still 21 games to go, so there are 63 points available, which is a lot.

“We’ve put in a great effort, but now the hardest thing is to continue it because, as I’ve always said, going from 12th-place to fifth-place is difficult, but it’s certainly easier than going from fifth-place to first.

“Then the margin for error is so much smaller, and we have to be good in terms of that.”

Simone Zaza has been linked with a move away from Turin this month, but Allegri thinks the Italian international would be better off staying.

“First of all, Zaza has grown a lot and is doing well at Juventus. I don’t understand why he’d leave, and why there’s this chatter.

“He’s a player with great quality, who has improved a lot and is important for us. It’s right that he stays with us.

“As I always say, in a big team you need a pool of top strikers, top midfielders, and top defenders. So we can’t think about two top strikers and two who are on a lesser level.

“The levels must be balanced, and we have four strikers with great quality, who are good together and are fighting for places, to play games or part of games.

“But that’s part of the package at a great club.”

[Socrates 8386]

Allegri delighted with title challenging Juventus' U-turn

Massimiliano Allegri is thrilled with his side's upturn in form, especially
his strikers, as Juventus continue to revive their Serie A title defence.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/723/serie-a/2016/01/08/19105142/-?

Jan 8, 2016

Juventus coach Massimo Allegri is spoiled for choice up front - as he discovered during his side's 3-0 win over Verona on Wednesday.

The reigning Serie A champions coasted to an eighth straight league win, with no place for Mario Mandzukic - who scored a brace in the team's 3-2 win over Carpi before the mid-season break - in the starting line-up.

Instead, Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata lead the line, with the former scoring and the latter being replaced by Simone Zaza, who got his name on the scoresheet.

Allegri said he was happy to see Zaza score again, with the Italian netting four goals in his last three appearances.

"I'm pleased for Zaza and the regularity with which he's finding the net," Allegri said.

"Morata played well, he attacked the space and closed down the man in possession at every opportunity. He needs to remain calm and keep working hard, his strikes have been crucial for us in the past.

"As for Dybala, he's continuing to improve every aspect of his game. He's very focused on achieving his goals and is a great player to have in the squad."

Allegri said he was happy with the progress he was seeing from his team after correcting a poor start to the domestic campaign.

"We've grown enormously on all fronts and for me that is the key difference between what you are seeing now and what you saw at the start of the season.

"Back then, we weren't playing badly and I believe some of our performances were better than those during the opening months of the previous campaign. Now however, we are quicker, stronger and have all of our key players back to full fitness."