20 March 2016
Eight matches left to play and five at home.
The Bianconeri are indeed entering the closing stages of a season that, despite Wednesday’s Champions League exit, still promises plenty in the way of silverware with the club chasing a second consecutive domestic double.
With Sunday’s derby victory over Torino on Sunday, Massimiliano Allegri’s men edged a step closer to achieving this objective and the Tuscan tactician was understandably pleased with the way in which his charges bounced back from their disappointment in midweek to get the job done at the Stadio Olimpico.
“What happened in Munich needed to be put to one side and we had to show the strength to get up again like men and move on,” Allegri opened.
“The team played well today and deserved to win, but there’s still room for improvement in certain areas. Sometimes we choose to do the luxurious when in fact the match is not as easy as it may seem and we need to be better at controlling the ball in situations like these.”
Asked about Paulo Dybala’s injury that saw him substituted after 32 minutes for Alvaro Morata, Allegri explained: “Dybala was in good shape and playing well until he received a knock. He’ll stay here with us over the international break in order to return to fitness. Morata had put in a top performance in Munich and did very well again here, as did the other substitutes.”
Wrapping up proceedings, Allegri reserved special praise for Gigi Buffon for setting a new Serie A record of 973 minutes without conceding.
“Buffon has fully deserved this record. Going ten matches without conceding is no mean feat. Not only is he an extraordinary player, but a great man.”
