15 November 2018
Juventus returns to training after three days of rest followed by a victory over Milan last Sunday, whilst Massimiliano Allegri returns to the JTC with a new record, the fourth Panchina d'Oro of his career and the first coach to win that many.
"It's a recognition that is always nice to receive, because it is the result of all the work that everyone gives every day at Continassa - underlines the tactician to the microphones of Juventus TV - It is given to me symbolically, but really it is a reward for everyone and I'm happy to share it with my colleagues.
"In these last few years we have changed several players and this has been important - continues Allegri - because it brings new motivations. The quality has always improved year-on-year and this is essential for us to remain at the top level in Italy and in Europe. It is a merit of the club, which is working well and is planning an important future.
The upcoming run of games look set be a challenge for the Bianconeri: "The team is fine, we are leading the table - concludes Allegri - but now there will be nine matches before the winter break, seven in Serie A and two in the Champions League, against teams that are difficult to face. We will have to prepare ourselves better, and play with the calmness with which we have played so far. It's an important season and we have to create the right conditions for reaching March competing on all three fronts."
The first of the nine games mentioned by Allegri will see Juventus take on SPAL at the Allianz on Saturday 24 November (18:00 CET), and work already began today in view of that match. Despite the numbers being greatly reduced at Continassa due to international call-ups, a contingent of players in Turin trained this afternoon at the JTC. Goalkeepers, Mattia Perin and Carlo Pinsoglio were present, as were Andrea Barzagli, Juan Cuadrado, Sami Khedira, Cristiano Ronaldo and Leonardo Spinazzola, who went through a series of repetitions and technical exercises.
Federico Bernardeschi was also in the building, but is undergoing the appropriate treatment for the muscular problem picked up whilst with the Italian national team and which will be re-examined again next week. At the moment, it's not certain that the player will be available to face SPAL. Mario Mandzukic will also be back training tomorrow, who this evening is a guest at the Nations League match between Croatia and Spain.
