Juventus vs AC Milan preview - Allegri wary of `wounded` Juve

Posted Saturday, March 05, 2011 by PA

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri expects a "wounded" Juventus when the two sides square off in Turin.

The hosts go into the encounter against the Serie A leaders having lost four of their last six league games.

Last weekend's 2-0 defeat to Bologna dropped the Bianconeri to seventh in the standings and seven points behind fourth-placed Lazio.

The top four at season's end qualify for the Champions League.

"With 11 games to go, each match is important," Allegri said. "At this time that of Juve means a lot.

"It is key for the scudetto for us and key for the Champions League for them.

"Juve is a physical team, with character.

"It is wounded and will play an important game but we can match that.

"We cannot have a drop in concentration or underestimate Juve.

"They played well against Inter Milan and they were unfortunate against Bologna.

"They will go out to win."

Milan won their third straight league match on Monday in a 3-0 triumph over Napoli, a result that lifted the Rossoneri five points clear of second-place Inter Milan.

Allegri has confirmed Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato will play from the start against the Bianconeri despite reports that he could rest in view of next Wednesday's Champions League last 16 return leg at Tottenham where Milan must overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit.

"Pato is going through a great moment," Allegri said. "I haven't decided the starting line-up but there is a good chance that Pato will start against Juve."

Juve beat Milan 2-1 at the San Siro back on October 30.

That defeat was the second of the season for Allegri's men, but since they have lost just once in the competition.

Juventus are determined to halt their remarkable dip in form which has jeopardised their hopes of securing automatic qualification for the Champions League next season.

"We didn't expect our last two defeats," midfielder Claudio Marchisio said. "We are eager to bounce back.

"Against the top teams we have always shown determination and will.

"We know that we will face a strong team, full of champions, but we cannot afford any more setbacks."

Juve coach Luigi Del Neri will be forced to make several changes to his side with midfielders Mohamed Sissoko, Hasan Salihamidzic and Alberto Aquilani sidelined through injury.

Also, defender Fabio Grosso is also out for 10 days with a strain in his right thigh and striker Simone Pepe is suspended.