Massimiliano Allegri aims to get the right balance against Sporting Lisbon

Posted Wednesday, October 18, 2017 by PA

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri feels his players must not "get too depressed" as they look to get back on form against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.

The Bianconeri were beaten at home by Lazio on Saturday, which followed the failure to deliver victory when 2-0 up against Atalanta.

The Old Lady head into their European tie now some five points behind Serie A pacesetters Napoli, who have opened up with eight straight league wins.

Allegri, though, wants everyone to keep calm and remain focused as Juventus look to build on the win over Olympiacos in their last Champions League Group D outing.

"The atmosphere in the camp is good. We need to restore the right balance and not get too depressed as losses and draws happen," Allegri said at a press conference, quoted on the club's official website.

"There are times when things go well and things go wrong in football, it is normal that we have to work hard on correcting the errors that we made and work hard until the end of the season.

"We must work on the little weaknesses that we have and try to improve so that we remain focused on the defence, as well as the management of the match."

Allegri added: "What matters most right now, however, is tomorrow's match against Sporting, who will be a difficult opponent, as they defend well, and have a strong and experienced coach.

"They played a great match against Barcelona, so we must be smart, keep our heads and stay focused."

Midfielder Miralem Pjanic has recovered from the thigh problem which kept him out of international duty with Bosnia-Herzegovina as has German Sami Khedira.

Allegri said he will deploy either Stefano Sturaro or Andrea Barzagli at right-back, as Swiss defender Stephan Lichtsteiner is not in the Champions League squad while Mattia De Sciglio and Benedikt Howedes are both still injured.