Juventus vs Atalanta preview - Juve focused on Atalanta

Posted Thursday, February 19, 2015 by PA

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri is not going to take any chances and will field his strongest side in Friday's clash with Atalanta, despite a Champions League game to follow shortly after.

The Italian giants take on Borussia Dortmund in Europe next Tuesday but Allegri feels a sense or urgency to get a win in Serie A after last weekend's disappointing 2-2 draw at second-bottom Cesena.

"Tomorrow I will field my best squad that I have available," Allegri told the Italian press on Thursday. "Our focus is on beating Atalanta and only then, will we prepare for our Champions League match.

"We go into this game having not played well at Cesena.

"We realised straight after last weekend's game what an opportunity we had missed."

Juve blew a chance to move nine points clear at the top of Serie A after title rivals Roma were held goalless at home by rock-bottom Parma.

The Turin giants will be bolstered by the return of the league's leading scorer Carlos Tevez, who was suspended for the Cesena game.

Tevez is expected to partner Alvaro Morata in attack.

"Besides being a very technical player, Tevez is an important player in our team," Allegri said. "Just like Leo Messi is for Barcelona or Zlatan Ibrahimovic is for PSG."

Juve are unbeaten at home this season and will be eager to extend their seven-point advantage over Roma before the two sides square off at the Stadio Olimpico on March 2.

"We know how important tomorrow's game is," Allegri said. "We cannot afford to drop more points."

Atalanta head into the contest in Turin desperate to avoid their third straight defeat.

The Bergamaschi fell 4-1 at home to Inter Milan last time out having previously lost 3-2 to Fiorentina, results that have left them 17th in the standings and just three points clear of the drop zone..

Stefano Colantuono's side will not be at full strength with defender Yohan Benalouane, midfielder Carlos Carmona and striker Mauricio Pinilla all suspended.

Argentinian playmaker Maximiliano Moralez, who is Atalanta's top scorer with five goals this season, is also unavailable with a thigh injury.