Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri claims Serie A title race not over
Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri warns the Serie A title race is not over yet, ahead of his side's game away against AC Milan on Saturday.
The Bianconeri stretched their lead at the top of Serie A to six points last weekend, and can go nine clear with a win at San Siro, at least temporarily, as second-placed Napoli play on Sunday.
"There's still a lot to do. We still have to win the Scudetto, despite the fact I've heard all week that Juventus have already won the Scudetto and the only discussion is second place," Allegri was quoted as saying by football-italia.net on Friday.
"However, I don't think Juventus have mathematically won the Scudetto, there's still a lot to do and tomorrow is a game which would be a really nice step toward the Scudetto.
"There are six games to go, four at home and two away from home. We haven't done anything yet, and yet it's made out that Juventus have already won the Scudetto.
"That could create a drop in intensity, but that's not certain because we all know the importance of tomorrow's game, and I know the players, they're responsible lads."
Talking about the encounter against Milan, the side that was coached by Allegri between 2010 and 201, the coach said that Juventus need to worry about a side that is fighting for a place in the Europa League. Milan are currently sixth in the Serie A table.
"Tomorrow we'll have to play a good game, we have to put in a great performance because we're playing against Milan," Allegri said.
"Milan-Juventus is always Milan-Juventus, they have to get into the Europa League and they'll want to unleash all their tension on the pitch, which they have indubitably built-up in their week of ritiro.
"We can't think about winning the League, we have to think about playing a good game tomorrow which will be a step toward the Scudetto, and to do that we have to put in a great performance."
Mario Balotelli is expected to play for the Rossoneri tomorrow, and Allegri was asked for his thoughts on the beleaguered striker.
"As I told him at Milan, at a certain point God helps those who help themselves. Mario is a player with great potential, he's 25-years-old.
"I can't say anything (bad about him) because in that incredible race for third-place (in Allegri's third season at Milan) he scored 14 or 15 goals in six months, if I'm not mistaken.
"After that, unfortunately, he got a bit lost. He's still a young man, so he has plenty of time to recover, but it's down to him."