Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has declared the UEFA Europa League to be of utmost importance to the club at the moment. Following their 15-point deduction in Serie A, the Bianconeri have only two competitions left to play for – Coppa Italia and Europa League – and Allegri is aware of how much value a win over Nantes will hold.
In his pre-match press conference ahead of the knockout tie, Allegri shared the team’s goals until the end of the season.
“It’s the European path for us. We were eliminated in the Champions League but this could be a gateway to the next Champions League. There’s a play-off with Nantes to then go to the round of 16 and try to get to the end.” (via Calciomercato)
However, Allegri knows it will certainly not be a walk in the park against the French outfit, given their recent record of just two defeats in the previous 12 matches.
“Being out of the Champions League has left us with a bitter taste. The Europa League isn’t easy. Nantes come from their last 10 games with only one defeat against Marseille, making 6 clean sheets. They have fast and technical players, and tomorrow we have to lay the foundations to be able to go to Nantes (2nd leg) with a good lead.”
The game against Nantes will be Allegri’s first in the second-tier of the European cup.
“For me tomorrow is a debut in the Europa League. All the more reason we need respect for Nantes. The boys are proving to be a team, we need commitment and respect”.
Juventus and Nantes have met just once in Europe before, in the semi-final of the 1995/96 UEFA Champions League, when the Italians progressed 4-3 on aggregate before going on to beat Ajax in the final.
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