Lazio vs Juventus - Massimiliano Allegri insists Juventus have plenty still to do
Posted Thursday, December 03, 2015 by PA
Juventus cannot even start to consider mounting a title defence until they have broken back into the top four, insists head coach Massimiliano Allegri.
The reigning champions suffered back-to-back defeats at the start of the Serie A season, a ruinous setback they have only just begun to recover from.
Four straight wins have boosted them into fifth place, and the Bianconeri can draw level with Roma in fourth should they beat Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday night.
Allegri has moved quickly to dampen enthusiasm, however, stressing the fact Juve still have plenty of work to do to make up for lost time.
He told a pre-match press conference: "We have not achieved anything yet. It's true that we've won four in a row but our journey has only just began.
"Thinking otherwise could cause our level of intensity to drop and that must not be allowed to happen.
"We must focus on small goals and the first of those is reaching fourth place. Our overall objective must be to win a certain number of points by the end of the season.
"If you have 80 or more then you can win the title... between 72 and 80 you'll be second or third.
"It's a race against the clock and we need to sprint all the way to the finish line. It's now obvious to us that the margin of error - when it comes to winning the Scudetto - has thinned."
French midfielder Paul Pogba is suspended, with Allegri likely to field Kwadwo Asamoah in his place. Lazio, meanwhile, are missing the injured trio of Stefan de Vrij, Stefano Mauri and Ogenyi Onazi.
Midfielder Senad Lulic suffered a gruesome injury in the Biancoceleste gym this week but may still be able to line up against Juve.
The Bosnian had to undergo reconstructive surgery on his right hand after several of his fingers were crushed by exercise equipment.
Lazio, who finished third last season, have slumped to 10th in the table after losing four of their last five games.
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