Juventus coach Massimilliano Allegri has admitted that his side will have a tougher time in Serie A this season and is also expecting a close game against Lazio in Saturday’s Supercoppa Italiana clash.
The Bianconeri are currently in Shanghai preparing for the traditional curtain raiser for the upcoming season and although Allegri is happy with the transfer business that has been undertaken this summer, he feels that it will be a tough year.
“It [Serie A] will not be easy because the league will be balanced, we will need patience and to remain calm,” Allegri told reporters at his pre-match press conference in Shanghai.
“It will be a much more difficult year, we will have to deal with both the good and the bad.
“The club have done a good job in bringing in young players. [Paulo] Dybala has excellent qualities as does [Simone] Zaza and [Daniele] Rugani.”
Turning his attentions to the upcoming Lazio tie, Allegri feels that the game will be decided by fine margins.
“When you play in a final the margins are always tight, it was finely balanced in Rome for the Coppa Italia final and it will be still be finely balanced on Saturday.
“I feel sorry that [Giorgio] Chiellini, [Sami] Khedira and [Alvaro] Morata cannot play in the final, we remain calm [about their injuries] and await their recoveries.
“We are well prepared and hope to achieve our first goal of the season.”
He also discussed the decision to give Paul Pogba the famous number ten shirt.
“Paul asked for the 10 and will have added responsibility because it is not easy to wear that number.
“It is difficult because the greatest Juventus players have worn the 10.”
