03 April 2016
“We’ve gained three points and that’s one game less to play now. We’re taking each game at a time. We all need to be calm and composed, the margin for error now is virtually non-existent and we’re aware that in Napoli there’s a very strong side right behind us.”
That’s indeed the bottom line of Saturday’s victory over Empoli and one which Massimiliano Allegri was pleased to see his players achieve primarily through intelligence and tactical savvy – a sign he stressed bodes well at this stage of the campaign.
“It’s never easy taking on teams who play as well as Empoli,” the 48-year-old said. “We did well tonight, even though we ought to have wrapped up the win earlier in the match.
“The fact that the game dropped in tempo after the break is to be expected after an international break, but we nevertheless played to a good rhythm and put in an intelligent performance.”
When asked about Giorgio Chiellini’s second-half exit, Allegri revealed: “He pulled up with a problem to his adductor muscle, but hopefully it’s nothing serious.”
The manager, nevertheless, had plenty to be pleased about, not least the encouraging performances of many squad players benefitting the whole group’s cause.
“I’ve always believed that it’s the manager’s job to instil confidence in the entire squad, because, in order to be in contention for titles at the end of the season, every single player is crucial to the overall team effort.
“Whoever enters the field should do so with calm and composure, as they almost always do, because they have my trust and they are also all very talented.”
