Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 9y

Massimiliano Allegri 'relaxed' over Juventus' Champions League hopes

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri is confident his side will progress in the Champions League, insisting he would only be satisfied this season if they "win the scudetto and reach the last 16 of the Champions League."

Juve are on course for a fourth domestic title, but it is in Europe where, once again, they are facing their toughest challenge.

They are currently third in their group, three points adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid -- who they host in their final group game -- and behind second-placed Olympiakos due to an inferior head-to-head record. Winning both their remaining matches will guarantee them progress -- and they may have to beat Atletico by more than one goal for top spot.

"I'm not only thinking about qualifying -- I'm convinced we can win our group and avoid an impossible last-16 tie," Allegri told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "We're relaxed and we have everything in our own hands."

Topping Group A -- and avoiding the other group winners -- may be the only way Juve will stand a good chance of reaching the quarterfinals, as they did two years ago when the draw paired them with Celtic.

The Bianconeri were subsequently eliminated by Bayern Munich in the last eight, but Allegri believes the competition becomes open from the quarterfinals onwards.

"You never know what happens when you get there," he said. "I want to establish Juventus as one of the top eight sides in Europe and to be there constantly, aware that we cannot compete economically with the big clubs at the moment, but ready to make the most of any opportunity that might present itself."

His optimism is not misguided, he insisted.

"It's based on concrete facts," he explained. "The club have built a very strong squad, integrating some very strong youngsters who are already mature. [Kingsley] Coman has got some incredible quality and [Alvaro] Morata has everything it takes to become one of the best strikers in the world.

"Things are all planned here and built with intelligence, so if we can have the right patience, we will get back among the very best in Europe."

That is where Roma are also striving to be, but Allegri has questioned whether the Giallorossi are going to cope with the added pressure they have put themselves under by proclaiming they are stronger than Juve.

"I really think they believe what they say, and they do right to," Allegri added. "Roma are strong and they had a great season last year, finishing second. The pressure is going to be high now, though, because they can no longer hide -- second place would not be enough; it would be a major disappointment and like a mini failure."

Allegri also sees Napoli as serious Serie A title contenders again, saying he never doubted they would bounce back from a difficult start to the season.

"Even when they were navigating the rough seas, I still had Napoli down as extremely dangerous rivals in the race for the title," Allegri said. "If only they had scored a couple of the penalties that they missed, [Rafael] Benitez's men would already be up there with us and Roma."

^ Back to Top ^