14 April 2015
Massimiliano Allegri conveyed his satisfaction at the Bianconeri stealing an early march on their Champions League quarter-final rivals Monaco with this evening’s 1-0 win, but was quick to warn that the tie is far from over.
The display offered by tonight’s visitors has convinced the boss there is plenty of work to be done before his men can think about prolonging their journey in this year’s competition, with an away goal in Monte Carlo now of
paramount importance.
Speaking to the media in Turin, Allegri began: “It’s a good result. The clean sheet at home gives us a slight advantage, even though it won’t be straightforward. We now know our opposition: they’re very well organised in defence and possess technique and physicality in forward areas.
“I’m optimistic, even though we know we’ll have to put in a good performance and score to reach the next round. They’re a complicated side to play against, paradoxically it was perhaps easier against Borussia.
Monaco don’t give you an inch out there, three to four extra passes are required to avoid getting hit on the counter.”
The name of the returning Andrea Pirlo was on the lips of journalists at Juventus Stadium, and Allegri declared himself pleased at the way his midfielder passed a tough test with flying colours.
“Andrea played a decent 70 minutes, considering he’d been sidelined for 50 days. Set pieces are crucial in these types of games and we needed someone who would offer us quality with his passing in the opposition half.”
