Juventus vs Fiorentina - Allegri warns Juventus to respect challenge of rivals Fiorentina
Posted Tuesday, September 19, 2017 by PA
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has warned his side must respect the challenge of rivals Fiorentina as they look to maintain a 100 per cent start to the Serie A campaign.
The Bianconeri host La Viola on the back of a 3-1 win at Sassuolo, where a hat-trick from Paulo Dybala helped overcome the disappointment of a comprehensive defeat by Barcelona in their opening Champions League fixture.
However, given there is no love lost between the clubs who are some 250 miles apart, but share plenty of history, Allegri is expecting nothing other than a stern examination from Stefano Pioli's new-look side, with Fiorentina having recorded successive Serie A victories.
"Fiorentina are undergoing a period of transition, but they are a well-coached team that have brought through some fantastic young players into their ranks, such as Federico Chiesa," Allegri said.
"They will play without pressure tomorrow night, so we need to approach the match with the right level of respect towards our opponents and put in a solid performance, especially in defence, in order to pick up the three points."
Both Napoli and Inter also boast a perfect start from four Serie A games.
Allegri, though, is not taking much notice of the league table just yet.
"Typically the league table doesn't take proper shape until after 10 games, so for now it is normal to see a lot of the teams bunched up together," the Juventus coach said at a press conference.
"Ninety points will be required in order to win the Scudetto this season and winning against the lower to mid-table teams is crucial in all of this."
Allegri confirmed goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who completed a permanent move from Arsenal in the summer, will start with Gianluigi Buffon rested.
Defender Mattia De Sciglio misses out as he is sidelined by an ankle problem, so Belgian Benedikt Howedes, on loan from Shalke, could come into a three-man backline.
Pioli, meanwhile, is determined his side will be able to give a good account of themselves and continue recent progress.
"I want to do well with this team and the more I see of them in training, the more I like it," the Fiorentina coach said at a press conference.
"Every game is an opportunity to grow, the team have got good results and performances.
"Juventus, though, has few weaknesses, and their great players are an example."
Pioli added: "Our players live in the city and know what the value of this match is.
"We are motivated and there is no doubt we will do what is needed, but we must bring something extra to the game and go beyond our capabilities."
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