Juventus vs AC Milan preview - Allegri expects tough test

Posted Friday, February 06, 2015 by PA

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri expects his former club AC Milan to provide his title-chasing team with a stern test in Turin on Saturday.

The Rossoneri have won just one of their last six Serie A games and are eighth in the standings, 21 points adrift of league leaders Juve.

"This is always a tough game because it's still Juve versus Milan," Allegri told the Italian media on Friday. "We face a team that won its last game.

"Although they struggled in January, Milan did really well in December, beating Napoli and holding Roma a to a draw.

"Milan have also made good signings during the winter transfer market, bringing in four international players, (Alessio) Cerci, (Mattia) Destro, (Luca) Antonelli and (Gabriel) Paletta.

"I think that Milan is a team built to fight for a European place and tomorrow it will be far from easy."

Juve have enjoyed a strong campaign under Allegri, who was sacked by Milan just 13 months ago.

The Turin giants are unbeaten at home in Serie A and last weekend's goalless draw at Udinese left the Bianconeri firmly on course for their fourth-straight scudetto.

Juve are seven points clear of nearest rivals Roma.

"The season is still very long and I expect Roma to fight until the end for the scudetto," Allegri said. "We haven't achieved anything yet and we need to understand that."

Last weekend's 3-1 triumph against Parma halted a five-match winless streak for Milan and eased the pressure on coach Filippo Inzaghi.

"From now on, we must show the same determination we displayed against Parma," Inzaghi said. "I want to thank our club president (Silvio Berlusconi) for the new reinforcements.

"They are all talented and are hungry to succeed.

"It"s up to us now to deliver."

The Rossoneri are still without eight injured players while defender Philippe Mexes and Italian striker Destro are both suspended.

Serie A's top scorer Carlos Tevez will lead Juve's attack alongside Fernando Llorente.

Juve are without defender Stephan Lichtsteiner, who must serve a one-match ban, while recent signing Alessandro Matri is out with a muscular problem.