Max Allegri celebrates the attitude that allowed Juventus to beat Fiorentina in stoppages, but also warns they ‘must not forget’ the points dropped this season to avoid falling back into that trap.
Serie A | Juventus 1-0 Fiorentina: Cuadrado rescues Bianconeri
The Bianconeri put in another far from impressive performance, struggling to create chances even after Nikola Milenkovic was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Federico Chiesa smashed a sensational effort off the crossbar, but in stoppages substitute Juan Cuadrado scored from a seemingly impossible angle.
Allegri was forced into some changes, as Leonardo Bonucci had a flexor issue, then Giorgio Chiellini pulled out during the warm-up with an adductor problem, so Daniele Rugani stepped in at the last minute for his first start of the season.
“I am pleased with the performance of the whole team, but especially Rugani, who barely played at all this season. Luca Pellegrini also did well off the bench,” Allegri told DAZN.
“We held out well on a psychological level. We should be angry at the points we dropped along the way this season, which we would’ve taken home with a different mentality and attitude. We must be pleased today, but also still have that anger we dropped those points.”
Juventus didn’t really have a shot on target until Chiesa rattled the crossbar and Fiorentina were down to 10 men.
“I think we had three or four chances in the first half where we chose the wrong final ball. This victory boosts confidence, but absolutely must not lower the level of concentration. If anything, it has to remind us that to win games, we need to fight to the end,” continued Allegri.
“Morata created some good situations, he scored a disallowed goal and only could’ve done better on Danilo’s cross, realising he had to attack the near post rather than the back. He should’ve read that situation better.”
The coach reiterated after defeats to Sassuolo and Hellas Verona that the attitude makes all the difference for the Bianconeri.
“The foundations to be a team fighting for the top spots are based on sacrifice. This is a team that has quality, but it must be united with the spirit of sacrifice, determination in the tackle and individual duels. We didn’t win a single duel against Sassuolo, whereas today we had more of those.
“This team earned qualification for the Champions League Round of 16 with two games to spare, but we must not forget what we got wrong.”
Allegri was asked if the Juventus squad at his disposal is difficult to form into a tactical system, shifting from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2.
“At this moment we have four defenders and manage to develop from the back like that. We’ve got three in midfield and then the three upfront who sort themselves out, which gives us a sense of unpredictability.
“Dybala and Chiesa must be used to get the best out of their characteristics, while Morata does well if he’s back to the goal for some of the game, but not all of it.
“People say you have to play well, but ultimately it’s about winning and you have to win. Our issues above all this season were psychological, and today at the most difficult moment of the game, we held out. I am glad about that.”
Scenes in Turin!! ⚫️⚪️
Juan Cuadrado comes off the bench to give Juventus victory over Fiorentina in stoppage time! 😅
A brilliant finish from the tightest of angles against his former club! pic.twitter.com/7scVLYSEgp
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 6, 2021