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Allegri: “Squad strength essential”

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Allegri: “Squad strength essential”
Allegri: “Squad strength essential”
Allegri: “Squad strength essential”

When you’re challenging for titles on three fronts, as Juventus are, squad depth takes on a whole new level of importance, as Massimiliano Allegri stressed after seeing several players step in to the starting line-up for the first time in weeks and help secure the Bianconeri’s passage to the Coppa Italia semi-finals following Wednesday’s win against Lazio.

Speaking to the media after the match at the Stadio Olimpico, the Tuscan tactician began: “I don’t like talking about rotation, as I’ve a very competitive squad. It’s no easy thing to leave out anyone from the line-up. Sturaro and Zaza did some great things tonight, Morata is growing in confidence, Caceres too put in a good shift, as did Neto.

“In order to make further strides forward, I need to be able to count upon every single one of my players. They know they have to be in peak condition and, as a group, we need to continue to show plenty of humility.”

This latest victory was no easy assignment, as Stefano Pioli’s men started the match strongly in front of their home fans, and Allegri acknowledged that his own players ended up putting in a highly competent and assured second-half performance in order to come through the test and book their place in the next round against Inter.

“Credit to Lazio. The first half was very even and played at a high tempo. We then improved after the break, we didn’t give them any goalscoring opportunities whatsoever, while we also had our own chances to put the game beyond doubt.

“Now we turn our focus to Sunday and Roma, which will be a very tough match. There remain 18 fixtures in the league and the top five sides are still all challenging for title honours. We’re in great form at present, but we have to keep going.”

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