01 November 1897
Massimiliano Allegri is urging his men to maintain the heat on league leaders Napoli by coming away with all three points from tomorrow afternoon’s Serie A trip to struggling Frosinone.
Dealing with set-pieces is top of the Tuscan’s agenda for the Bianconeri against Roberto Stellone’s men, with the boss keen to avoid lightning striking twice after his men were caught cold by Frosinone’s last-gasp equaliser in this season’s first meeting of the sides in September.
Speaking to the media in Vinovo, Allegri began: “Tomorrow’s game is worth three points just like the Napoli match. We have to go down there and get the win that would enable us to stay in touch with the league leaders.
“We dropped two points against Frosinone at home and conceded from a corner. Eight of the 24 goals that they have scored have come from set-pieces. We were caught out by one of their strengths.”
The absences of long-term injury victim Martin Caceres and flu stricken Patrice Evra mean Allegri has some thinking to do when it comes to his defensive strategy for Sunday afternoon’s encounter.
And with Leonardo Bonucci in line for a well-earned breather, the manager hinted that Bianconeri supporters could be seeing a new-look rearguard at the Stadio Matusa.
“We should wish Martin Caceres all the best for what’s unfortunately happened. The operation went well and we hope to have him back with us. He’s a big loss, first and foremost as a man, then as a player.
“I won't worry about players being a booking away from suspension. The only question mark I have is Bonucci and whether to give him a rest or not because he’s played a great deal. Rugani could replace Leo, as I think he’s better in the middle of a three-man defence, as opposed to one of the wide centre backs. If not we could play with four.”
While the absences of Caceres and Evra have undoubtedly come as a blow to Allegri, good news did come in the form of Juventus quartet Kwadwo Asamoah, Sami Khedira, Roberto Pereyra and Mario Lemina, all of whom are expected to return to the first-team fold in the coming days.
“Asamoah will join back up with the team during the week, as should Khedira. Pereyra is doing well. Both he and Lemina had a good run-out in the friendly on Thursday. He won’t start but he could definitely be a good option off the bench.”
