Allegri: “Start as we mean to go on”

Massimiliano Allegri says it is imperative the Bianconeri set themselves up for a strong Champions League Group H performance by getting off to a winning start in tomorrow’s opener against Spanish outfit Sevilla.

While journalists were keen to speculate about Juventus’ overall chances of lifting Europe’s most coveted club prize, Allegri insisted his and the team’s overriding goal for the time being is ensuring their safe passage out of the group.

All three points from Wednesday night’s clash with the reigning Europa League champions would represent the perfect introduction, but the Tuscan tactician insists it will be anything but plain sailing against a revamped Sevilla side.

Here’s what he had to say at Juventus Stadium:

“A win tomorrow would get our Champions League campaign off to the best possible start, enabling us to lay the foundations for our first target of the season – qualification to the competition’s knockout stages.” 

“It’s a tricky tie for us. Sevilla are a team that have changed radically from our last meeting. Their main strength lay in defence, now they defend by attacking. They also possess great international experience, as proven by their Europa League triumphs.” 

“We need to be calm, clear-headed and quietly go about our business both in Serie A and the Champions League. We’ll focus on reaching the knockout stages without getting ourselves unnecessarily worked up, both in good times and bad.” 

“We’re probably in amongst a clutch of teams that can go all the way, alongside Bayern, Barcelona, Real and Manchester City. In March a different kind of Champions League tournament begins, and you need to enter that period in the best possible physical and psychological form.”

“Evra will start tomorrow night, as will Buffon. We’ll see as far as the others are concerned. I have one doubt in midfield, which I will look to clear up tomorrow morning.”