Football
ESPN staff 8y

Max Allegri content with Juventus' position in Champions League group

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri says he's satisfied with his team's position in the Champions League after four matches.

Through four games, Juventus reamin unbeaten and are one point behind Group D leaders Manchester City.

Juventus have a five-point lead over third-placed Sevilla, but should they lose to in-form City in November while Sevilla win at Borussia Monchengladbach, it will set up an all-or-nothing game in Spain on the final matchday.

But after Juve dropped points in a 1-1 draw at Gladbach, Allegri said he was content with their position.

"There's the group table, which is positive: we have eight points with two games to play, although we'll face two tough matches," Allegri said. "I'd have taken this position if you'd offered it to me at the start of the season."

Despite conceding early, Juve appeared to regain their footing with Stephan Lichtsteiner's equaliser just before half-time. However, a straight red card to Hernanes gave the hosts the upper hand for the rest of the match.

"We started well and then allowed our opponents to get on top for ten minutes, during which we conceded," Allegri said. "After the equaliser, it seemed like we grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck but the sending off cost us."

After holding on for a point for the final half-hour, Allegri said the challenge would help his team going forward.

"Games like these help you to develop, both technically and in terms of character," he said. "We can't afford to buckle at the first sign of pressure, we need to learn to approach the match and certain spells differently.

"The lads are very highly motivated, it's a season in which we've had a few hitches, like injuries for instance. We also need to remember that tonight's was a young side, some of them had only made a few appearances in the Champions League.

"That's why we needed to stay calm, not get nervous and develop together. Competitive edge is all well and good but ultimately there's a ball out there and you need to use it well."

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