Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has praised his players after his side overturned a 2-1 first leg defeat to beat Fiorentina 3-0 in the Coppa Italia semi-final on Tuesday night.
The victory means that Allegri’s men are now in contention to become the second Italian side to win the treble after Inter in 2010 as they are still in the Champions League and possess a 14 point lead at the top of Serie A, and the former AC Milan coach has put this success down to his side’s character.
“We have had several difficult moments throughout the season, but the group possesses important values and a strong moral character,” Allegri told Rai Sport following the match. “Everyone offers their all, and the team is doing well.”
“This is the time when seasons are decided and the team is playing good football which is to the credit of the players. We have improved this aspect of our game and the team did well because a 3-0 win in Florence is never easy.
“The players should also take credit for making the game difficult for Fiorentina, as we did well in both defence and in attack.”
Allegri then went on to say that he understands why the Bianconeri fanbase were upset with former coach Antonio Conte’s departure in the summer after winning three successive Scudetti, before going on to say that his side must focus on their upcoming games.
“[Antonio] Conte had done a great job here and it is normal that the fans were upset with his departure but players and coaches often move on,” he said.
“But now we are doing well and we are focused on Serie A, because we still need four wins and one point to mathematically win the Scudetto. We are also thinking about Monaco [in the quarter final of the Champions League], who are a complicated team to deal with.
“Are the finals of the Coppa Italia and Champions League too close? It would be nice to move the date of the Coppa Italia final (laughs).”
Juventus’s opponent in the Coppa Italia final will be decided when Napoli take on Lazio on Wednesday evening at the Stadio San Paolo.
