Andrea Belotti’s second half strike canceled out Matthijs de Ligt’s early opener and denied Juve the victory which would have helped them to consolidate fourth place in the Serie A standings.
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Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri felt his side “weren’t brilliant compared to Torino” in the 1-1 draw in the Turin derby at Allianz Stadium on Friday. Andrea Belotti’s second half strike canceled out Matthijs de Ligt’s early opener and denied Juve the victory which would have helped them to consolidate fourth place in the Serie A standings. It was a frustrating result for Juve as fifth-placed Atalanta, who have played two games less, are just three points behind them. Now they risk being tied on points with Gian Piero Gasperini’s team, depending on their result against Fiorentina on Sunday.
Le parole di Mister Allegri e @mdeligt_04 dopo il #DerbyDellaMole ?
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) February 18, 2022
Speaking to DAZN after the draw against Torino, Allegri first reacted to the result and how the single point feels.
“It matters, because with the point we followed up on the positive results we’ve had in the last two to three months. it wasn’t easy, we weren’t brilliant compared to Torino, but we played a good game.
“Paradoxically, we conceded a goal in our best moment. In the first half we had two or three situations where we could have scored, but not in the second half.
“Then we weren’t very clean in the second half, but I think it’s a normal path, it’s natural when you’re playing in the league, especially when you’re aiming to be in the top four, so a draw isn’t to be thrown away.
“I’d say that the guys played a good game in terms of commitment and intensity, they tried to win until the end, so it’s a point that we take home and allows us to extend the positive streak.”
Mattia De Sciglio replaced Luca Pellegrini at half-time as the Italian defender suffered a knee injury during the final stages of the opening half, while Paulo Dybala was brought off in the 54th minute after asking for a substitution, seemingly suffering an injury.
He discussed the injuries “ “I’m not worried at all also because during the season there are injuries and those we have and who are fit and enlisted, will play on Tuesday against Villarreal and then we will prepare for Empoli”
The Italian coach analysed the performance of star striker Dusan Vlahovic, who failed to have a strong impact in the match.
“He struggled because he’s a very good player, but he has to learn a lot. As many players have to learn. Tonight he had to drag Bremer around the pitch and not give him any points of reference, because he is very strong on direct balls and less strong when you drag him around the pitch.
“Let’s not forget that he comes from a team that is having a very good season but he played one game a week. He’s played six, so I think it’s normal for him to grow. It amuses me because someone comes in and has to play every game.
“You have to grow, you have to get used to it, all the things you need in a great team, otherwise physically you can’t manage to play a game every three days.”
