ALLEGRI CALLS FOR FULL FOCUS ON FRIDAY
Massimiliano Allegri has urged his men to stay fully focused on Friday’s Serie A TIM trip to the Stadio Olimpico, where Lazio will be looking to bring an end to their winning run by exacting revenge for defeats in last season’s TIM Cup final and this term’s TIM Supercup clash. Five victories on the bounce in all competitions have reignited the Bianconeri’s campaign but Allegri assures there is still a long way to go before his team can be considered back to their best. Speaking to the media in Vinovo, he began:
“We still haven’t achieved anything. Thinking otherwise could result in a dip in focus and we mustn’t allow that to happen. We need to set ourselves a series of mini objectives and start by gaining a grip of fourth position. We have Lazio and Fiorentina up next in the league and these represent two important and difficult clashes against Scudetto contenders."
"The Biancocelesti approach tomorrow’s game off the back of some negative results, yet they have turned in some decent performances. They didn’t deserve to lose against Empoli and they played well at home against Palermo. They also want to exact revenge for their defeats to us in the TIM Cup and TIM Supercup. We can’t afford to slip up, our aim is to climb up into another position in the league."
He concluded: "Padoin always makes a positive contribution when called upon, he’s a very intelligent player and will be a useful option for us tomorrow, either as a starter or from the bench. Asamoah trained with the team yesterday and Lemina should also be among the group today. Khedira however will miss out and it’s unlikely he’ll be available for our trip to Seville. Pereyra underwent tests today after feeling a muscular twinge. We’ll check on him today and see how he’s looking."
(Photo LaPresse)
