10 February 2018
Massimiliano Allegri was keen to praise his team for their "maturity" after they secured three big points from a tricky encounter away to Fiorentina. The Bianconeri found themselves pegged back at times during the first half at the Stadio Franchi but withstood the pressure before striking twice in the second period to claim the spoils. “When you don't have the ball, you need to keep things tidy and be mature enough to bide your time,” the boss explained after the final whistle.
“Fiorentina played really well and put us under pressure. We didn't afford them too many chances in the first half though – even when they hit the post it came from a break following a corner. "We were too flat and weren't able to create a numerical advantage. That's where your maturity comes into it – at times like that you just have to make sure you don't do any damage. Then in the second half it was a different game.” As fate would have it, it was former Viola man Federico Bernardeschi who broke the deadlock 10 minutes after the restart with a well-struck free kick.
“Federico has improved a lot and he's understood what he needs to do to play in a great team where every victory is earned through hard work, grit and determination.” Allegri then commented on his decision to bring on Douglas Costa, which turned out to be an inspired substitution as the Brazilian proved to be a real handful for the hosts, before lauding his side's defensive solidity once more, with Juve having conceded just one goal in their last 16 games in all competitions.
“I needed someone who could beat his man and play more between the lines. We have a squad full of fantastic players and top professionals. “After the start of the season, when we had games ending 3-2 or even 6-2, like against Udinese, we went back to normal. You can control games simply by defending well and not affording your opponents any chances.”
