04 December 2017
On the night before Tuesday's Champions League showdown in Athens, Massimiliano Allegri held his pre-match press conference looking back at Friday's big night in Naples and ahead to a decisive UCL match.
**IMPORTANT BUT NOT DECISIVE
**
"Friday we got an important result, but it was not decisive. It simply allowed us to hang with the leaders, with whom we will have to compete for the league in March.
We have to grow even after Napoli, because after the first twenty minutes we did well. We played even more solid defensively which is something we still need to work on."
WHO'S IN, WHO'S OUT?
"With Chiellini out, either Rugani or De Sciglio will play. Higuain will be in the field tomorrow, because he is doing well both physically and mentally. Mandzukic will be available as well.
For Dybala, it will be an important test, because he has to demand more from himself and return to his highest performance level. Tomorrow could be decisive. We are still evaluating Buffon and Pjanic who suffers from a muscle strain. The presence of Miralem or not will not make us change our formation."
CONTROLLING OUR DESTINY
"We can't afford to wait and see what Barcelona's result will be. Either we win or we run the risk of exiting the Champions League. Tomorrow, our approach must be spot on. We have to be patient and take our chances to win the game."
WHAT YOU PLAY FOR
"The best thing about football is these moments, when you play these big challenges. Friday it was Napoli, tomorrow [Olympiacos], Inter, then Rome will come. Also if we are advance in Coppa Italia, we will have another big challenge on January 3.
When you play at the highest level, the big challenges give you adrenaline, excitement and they are beautiful to play."
