03 November 2015
“We started well and then allowed our opponents to get on top for ten minutes, during which we conceded.” This was how Massimiliano Allegri began his analysis of the match at Borussia-Park. “After the equaliser, it seemed like we grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck but the sending off cost us.”
After going over the events of the game, Allegri touched upon the positives from tonight: “First and foremost, in terms of the way the match was going, Buffon made a great save with his feet, which was crucial. Then there’s the group table, which is positive: we have eight points with two games to play, although we’ll face two tough matches. I’d have taken this position if you’d offered it to me at the start of the season.”
A tough night that tested the whole team: “Games like these help you to develop, both technically and in terms of character. We can’t afford to buckle at the first sign of pressure, we need to learn to approach the match and certain spells differently.” The coach, however, is in no doubt as to his team’s motivation: “The lads are very highly motivated, it’s a season in which we’ve had a few hitches, like injuries for instance. We also need to remember that tonight’s was a young side, some of them had only made a few appearances in the Champions League. That’s why we needed to stay calm, not get nervous and develop together. Competitive edge is all well and good but ultimately there’s a ball out there and you need to use it well.”
