01 November 1897
Massimiliano Allegri has urged his men to stay fully focused on Friday’s Serie A trip to the Stadio Olimpico, where Lazio will be looking to bring an end to their winning run by exacting revenge for defeats in last season’s Coppa Italia final and this term’s Super Cup clash.
Five victories on the bounce in all competitions have reignited the Bianconeri’s campaign but Allegri assures there is still a long way to go before his team can be considered back to their best.
Speaking to the media in Vinovo, he began: “We still haven’t achieved anything. Thinking otherwise could result in a dip in focus and we mustn’t allow that to happen.
"We need to set ourselves a series of mini objectives and start by gaining a grip of fourth position. We have Lazio and Fiorentina up next in the league and these represent two important and difficult clashes against Scudetto contenders."
Whilst Juventus have catapulted up the table in recent weeks, Lazio have dropped out of the title chase after failing to record a victory in their last five Serie A games.
Yet the Bianconeri’s Tuscan tactician believes there is more to the situation that meets the eye and is expecting Stefano Pioli’s men to come out all guns blazing when they cross the white line at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow night.
"The Biancocelesti approach tomorrow’s game off the back of some negative results, yet they have turned in some decent performances. They didn’t deserve to lose against Empoli and they played well at home against Palermo.
"They also want to exact revenge for their defeats to us in the Coppa Italia and Super Cup. We can’t afford to slip up, our aim is to climb up into another position in the league."
When quizzed about the team’s injury situation, Allegri revealed that Simone Padoin, out since November with a thigh strain, is expected to play a part in the capital before reporting good news on the respective conditions of Kwadwo Asamoah and Mario Lemina.
On the flip side, Sami Khedira will miss out on the trip to Rome while Roberto Pereyra remains a question mark after pulling up in training.
He concluded: "Padoin always makes a positive contribution when called upon, he’s a very intelligent player and will be a useful option for us tomorrow, either as a starter or from the bench. Asamoah trained with the team yesterday and Lemina should also be among the group today.
"Khedira however will miss out and it’s unlikely he’ll be available for our trip to Seville. Pereyra underwent tests today after feeling a muscular twinge. We’ll check on him today and see how he’s looking."
