Massimiliano Allegri was ‘happy’ with Juventus’ overall performance at the San Siro despite his side failing to attempt a single shot on target in a 0-0 draw with Milan. The two Italian heavyweights shared the spoils in an uneventful scoreless stalemate in Lombardy, though it felt like the Bianconeri were lucky to avoid defeat.
Going into Matchday 23, Juventus were unbeaten in eight consecutive Serie A matches, keeping four clean sheets in the process. Allegri’s men have seemingly found their feet following a stuttering start to the season and are now genuine candidates to land a top-four finish come May.
Though Juve’s Scudetto hopes are no longer realistic, especially after an underwhelming performance at the San Siro, Allegri was glad to see his players play ‘like a team.’
“It was a good game. We were coming off a lot of head-to-head clashes and a defeat would’ve sent us 10 points behind Milan, so that’d be negative,” he told DAZN as relayed by TUTTOmercatoWEB.
“We need to be a little calmer and more focused in the final third, as we are hasty and get the final ball wrong. It was a hard-fought game with some strong tackles, it was balanced and a draw is the right result.
“I think we did better in the second half against a good Milan and being at this stage after two head-to-head meetings is good. I am glad because the lads are playing more like a team, understanding when to control the ball in defensive and attacking moments. We are getting there.
“The players have improved their self-confidence, because we kept eight clean sheets in the last 12 games and that is a good signal.“
Juventus failed to capitalise on Atalanta’s goalless draw at Lazio on Saturday. However, they are still one point adrift of fourth-placed La Dea, who also have a game in hand. After a two-week hiatus due to World Cup qualifying in South America and Asia, the Bianconeri will take on Hellas Verona at home on February 6.
Meanwhile, Milan fell to third in the Serie A standings following Napoli’s 4-1 thumping of rock-bottom Salernitana on Sunday afternoon. The Rossoneri now trail top-placed Inter by four points, with the reigning champions boasting a game in hand.