12 April 2019
Saturday could be the day to finally lift the Scuddetto after a year of blood, sweat and tears. Our manager, Massimiliano Allegri had this to say on what's to come as we push towards the end of the season.
THE SCUDETTO
Speaking on the chance to win our eigth straight league title, the manager had this to say: "Tomorrow, we have the chance to seal the Scudetto and we need to. We have to look ahead and get over the disappointment without looking for excuses." After a disappointing result last weekend against SPAL, we were not able to seal the league title in Ferrara. Saturday presents an opportunity to finally put that wrong, right.
"Once we've won the Scudetto then we can start planning for the future with calmness. The Scudetto is celebrated because it is a great achievement and the result of a year of hard work, despite being faced with difficulties and injuries. It would have been a positive season with 50% of our targets reached.
"If we seal the title tomorrow then we have five more games ahead of us, in which we still need to give a good account of ourselves."
AVAILABLE PLAYERS
On Saturday, we should not expect to see our full team on display at Allianz Stadium. A host of players have been out recently and tomorrow is no different. "Mattia Perrin is out until the end of the season, as is Sami Khedira and also maybe Mario Mandzukic. Paulo Dybala is out for 20 days, with Douglas Costa and Martin Caceres for 10. Giorgio Chiellini could be back for Inter. Andrea Barzagli is better and Juan Cuadrado will play tomorrow."
Cristiano Ronaldo, who will lift the March MVP award on Saturday has been confirmed by Allegri to be playing tomorrow. "Cristiano has had an extraordinary season and will play tomorrow." With 19 league goals, CR7 leads Juve in the goals department and is only three goals behind top spot in the league. We certainly hope his ‘extraordinary season’ can continue with a goal on Saturday.
THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
During the knockout stages of our Champions League season, it was Ronaldo that set the pace for Juve. CR7 scored three goals over two ties against Atletico Madrid, leading us to the quarter-finals. He then scored two goals against Ajax over two legs. The only player to score against both teams over four games. However, this was not enough and Allegri addressed the fact.
"Cristiano plus Juventus doesn't equal a guaranteed Champions League, this is how football is. Now we have to move on and think about winning the Scudetto, which will be the result of a great season."
Speaking on the future of Ronaldo and Juventus it was apparent from Allegri that the two will move forward together. "Cristiano is the future of Juventus. He did very well this year and will do so the next, of course he is disappointed like all of us are but he's calm about it."
MOVING FORWARD
"We have to evaluate everything at the end of the season, what's gone well and what hasn't and then look to improve. This year has been a great job winning both the Super Cup and the Scudetto.
"The eighth-consecutive Scudetto is a source of pride for all. Once it's sealed we all have to enjoy it, it wouldn't make sense not to celebrate it."
