There’s a BAD atmosphere at Juventus, says coach Allegri
Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri has launched a scathing attack on his proteges and singled out one of his most talented players in the process.
Juventus head-coach Massimiliano Allegri has lamented the dire atmosphere in the Bianconeri‘s pre-season camp, citing the club’s domestic hegemony in Serie A as a contributing factor.
The Juve players are currently shaping up ahead of the new Serie A season. Due to the financial resurgence of rivals such as Inter Milan and AC Milan, they face an uphill battle to retain the title they acquired last season. However, the Turin juggernauts are still tipped for glory come the end of the 2015/2016 campaign.
If we are to believe ‘Max’ Allegri, that forecast is destabilising his troops. Speaking after his side’s 2-1 win against Lechia Gdansk, the Scudetto-winning coach said: “There’s a bad atmosphere at Juve. Everybody’s saying that we’re favourites, but let me tell you that’s not true.
“This year will be even more difficult. Before this atmosphere contaminates us, we have to stop it right from now.”
Before publicly ranting at his squad as a whole, Allegri first lambasted Alvaro Morata’s demeanour when he got substituted. The 22-year-old Spanish starlet was hauled off after spending only half an hour on the pitch - an occurrence which is often deemed a humiliation in football - hence him exiting the field in a petulant fashion.
Following that incident, the 47-year-old tactician said: “It wasn’t Morata’s day and I didn’t like his attitude. Regardless of technical errors, what really did not go well today was his attitude.
“When something didn’t work for him, he just stopped. That is why I asked him to get off the pitch.”
Those corrosive comments will surprise many in Italy, considering how Juventus showcased good team spirit and synergy in past seasons. Yet, those little dissensions should be expected due to the fact that the Piedmont side is in a transition period.
Many stalwarts - notably Pirlo, Tevez and Vidal - have left the ship this summer and there has been an influx of young and unexperienced talents - Dybala, Zaza and co - who are likely to be fazed by the unreasonable amount of expectation intrinsic to the club. As such, one can assume that Allegri’s comments are more akin to a wake-up call than a crisis report.
