Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri will not be underestimating opponents Lazio when the Bianconeri travel to Rome on Saturday evening and believe Stefano Pioli’s side have realistic hopes of joining them in the Champions League next season.
The Biancocelesti currently sit in fifth place in Serie A but with the hosts on a good run of form and heavy favourites with the bookies whose odds can be viewed by visiting Gamblingsites.com will pose plenty of questions for the Old Lady before they head to Sweden to take on Malmo on Wednesday.
“There is no risk of us thinking about the Champions League, we must think only of Lazio before the match on Wednesday,” Allegri told the press conference.
“I did speak to Lazio this summer, but in the end nothing happened and I arrived at Juve.
“Will our formation change? I thought it was right to change it against Olympiacos and I did. That decision was proved me right.
“Lazio have a great organisation, victory will be hard. They are a side that can aspire to reach third place and have players very good quality. We must be ready and not expect it to be easy.
“I am not worried. The only one that has come back [after the international break] is Marrone, the problem of [Martin] Caceres was on the other leg.
“We knew that [Andrea] Barzagli is a delicate situation. To have everyone available is important because we have a lot of games.
“The team is, however, doing pretty well even if we consider our defensive absentees. We are still the best defence.
“Romulo continues with his groin trouble and then there are days when he is well and days that he is not so we’ll see if it is available.
“[Patrice] Evra will return to the group Sunday, so he or Asamoah will be available Wednesday.
“I hope to have Caceres back, Ogbonna will be in the squad in the week, but [Andrea] Pirlo is available and will be able to play tomorrow. Vidal is fine.
“Are Juventus among for the top eight in the Champions League? We have the opportunity to go through, but you have to get there.
“We have to get six points because everything is still open. We’ll talk about the final eight when we get through.”
With Roberto Mancini returning to the Inter bench for the Milan derby on Sunday, Allegri insisted he can return the club to the top of Serie A whilst showing some sympathy for former coach Walter Mazzarri.
“Inter are always a dangerous team,” claimed Allegri. “Quality is not lost in just a few months, but when things are not going well the coach pays the coach and I know this myself.
“Mancini knows the Italian championship and the environment and Inter can climb to the top of the standings.”
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