26 October 2014
Massimiliano Allegri chose to reflect on his team’s improved second-half display when analysing this afternoon’s 2-0 success over Palermo at Juventus Stadium.
The Bianconeri laboured to find consistency in their play during a tentative first-half but settled into their stride following Arturo Vidal’s opener and some words of encouragement during the interval.
Speaking to reporters after the game, the 47-year-old began: “Technically speaking, we didn’t play well in the first-half and needed to move the ball about a bit quicker. We improved after the break.”
Fernando Llorente’s second-half goal ensured the Spaniard ended a drought stretching back as far as May and the boss was full of praise for his forward: “It’s normal for a striker to focus all his efforts on scoring even though he loves working for the team.
“This was his type of game given the characteristics of today’s opponents. He repaid my faith and we’re all happy that he’s back among the goals.”
Midway through the first-half, a change in tactics was apparent on the pitch with both Leonardo Bonucci and Angelo Ogbonna as well as Claudio Marchisio and Vidal switching positions.
When asked for the reasons behind the adjustments, Allegri explained his decision-making.
“Pereyra is an offensive-minded player, therefore Marchisio, who is more tactical than Vidal, gave us added cover down that side. Asamoah is more alert defensively and so Vidal, who was playing down his flank, had greater license to attack."
“Ogbonna found himself with the ball a lot down the right and so switching him with Bonucci gave us a better outlet to play our game.”
He concluded proceedings by giving a quick word on Andrea Pirlo, who was making only his fourth appearance of the campaign after suffering an injury in pre-season.
“Andrea played the World Cup in the summer, was sidelined for 40 days and needs minutes under his belt, but he’s improving and had a decent game today.”
