Allegri: 'Juve are Scudetto rivals'

Massimiliano Allegri looks ahead to Sunday’s Juventus-Milan clash. “We’re playing a team that will fight to the end for the Scudetto.”

This has not been a title showdown for some years, but Juve go into the game as joint leaders with Udinese.

“Juventus are a new squad who are doing well and can certainly do even better,” said Allegri.

“We’re playing a team that will fight to the end for the Scudetto. Juventus will also be highly motivated and can count on the support of the home crowd in their wonderful new stadium.

“It’s great to see a stadium without barriers, as that represents a step forward for Italian football.”

Milan’s defence of their Serie A title has not started well, notching up only one victory against Cesena.

“At the moment we are still coming back together, because we had so many injuries. Tomorrow will hopefully be the last game with so many players out, as they should return after the break for international duty.

“It’s a good side, as at last we can start to get into the season properly after six games. We would’ve had 12 points by now without the injuries, but that didn’t happen, so we have five points.

“We must continue along this path and build on the fact we’ve kept two consecutive clean sheets and are back to winning ways. A match like this needs to be prepared on a mental level more than a physical one.”

Kevin-Prince Boateng should return for this game, but the likes of Gennaro Gattuso, Alexandre Pato, Robinho and Massimo Ambrosini are still sidelined.

Allegri agreed to Andrea Pirlo’s departure over the summer and comes face to face with the former Milan hero in Turin.

“Andrea is a champion and is doing well, as he plays for a team that makes the most of his qualities. If we leave him space to play, then we’ll be making it easier for him and the strikers.

“I am impressed with Coach Antonio Conte, as he is pushing forward his ideas of football.”
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The fifth 'big' manager that is impressed with our manager that is good sign

yes we are scudetto contenders ... no one can deny that

if we are winter champions, i will seriously consider that

Right now Napoli are the favourites in my opinion. In order for us to become scudetto contenders we need to get a LB and also a top player, a game changer ala El Matador.

We get these two things in the winter mercato and from what I have seen, we would indeed become scudetto contenders, or even favourites, as long as Pirlo stays healthy.

C'mon Marotta, get the LB and the game changer we need. All you have to do is get a deal done with ManShitty. Tell them to give us Kolarov and Balotelli and they can have Amauri and Pepe. That is a fair trade. C'mon Marotta, make the phone call, I have Mancini's number on speed dial...