Allegri: 'Winners are better!'
Football Italia
Max Allegri used his farewell Juventus Press conference to hit out at critics. “Those who win regularly are better than the others, that’s all there is to it. I’d like to give an example…”
It was announced on Friday that Allegri would not be on the Juve bench next season and he held a joint Press conference with President Andrea Agnelli.
He used the opportunity to go back on the age-old criticism of Allegri’s defensive approach when compared with Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli or even tomorrow’s opponents Atalanta.
“It was always a debate with reporters and pundits, which is how it should be, but when you work at Juventus, you have to know that you won trophies. This season, we got the Scudetto and the Supercoppa, so it was still a success,” said Allegri.
“As for playing good football, I’ve seen a team dominate until the 93rd minute and then concede, so all of a sudden the winning team had an extraordinary performance. Inevitably, the result makes writers change their approach to a performance, but the Coach must evaluate all of it.
“Football is also strategy, understanding the right moments of the game. It’s impossible to play well for 38 rounds, but the important thing is to win even after playing badly, because that is the sign of a great club.
“Hearing people go out after a defeat to say, we played well, we finished second and that’s fine with me – that is not my style. There’s competition even between kids on the street playing five a side, let alone at Juventus.
“I always say there is no shame in defending. The great games and trophies are won by the best defences. For example, in the Champions League Final in Cardiff, we didn’t lose because Real Madrid attacked better, but because we defended worse, especially in the second half.”
Allegri became increasingly agitated as he got into his stride, with Agnelli laughing beside him.
“I still haven’t worked out what beautiful football is, nobody can explain it to me and I’d love it if they did. There must be a reason if there are some players and Coaches who always win, dammit?! There has to be a reason why those people always end up on the winning side.
“People seem to think it’s all about theory now, but this is a profession. Those who win regularly are better than the others, that’s all there is to it.
“I would like to make an example, but I won’t, because otherwise there will be chaos!”
Many believe he was about to reference Sarri and Napoli, who he pipped to the Serie A title last year.
“The fans have always been very warm towards me and it did get me emotional when the crowd called my name. In a way, I felt more fired up the more criticism was coming in from the outside, rather than those in the stadium.
“I don’t know what will happen in future. I need a little rest too, while after July 15 I might inevitably feel the desire to get back to work and I’ll evaluate the situations that are proposed. Otherwise, I’ll have a year to dedicate myself to my family and that band of crazies who are my friends. We’ll see. For now, let’s think about celebrating tomorrow.”
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