Juventus missed the chance to climb to second in Serie A after Teun Koopmeiners scored twice to earn Atalanta a 2-2 draw at the Allianz Stadium.
Koopmeiners’ ferocious strike following a set-piece put his side 1-0 up at the break.
Juventus turned the game around and thought they would go on to earn all three points thanks to goals from Andrea Cambiaso and Arkadiusz Milik, but Koopmeiners levelled.
Juventus had the first chance of the game when Fabio Miretti was brought down by Ederson outside the area but Federico Chiesa’s free-kick was over the crossbar just five minutes in.
The home side had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring 10 minutes later when Chiesa’s corner found Miretti in the six-yard box, but he saw his header saved by Marco Carnesecchi.
Juve were knocking on the door and had another shot on target midway through the first period when Samuel Iling-Junior’s pass found Chiesa inside the box yet he could only direct his effort at Carnesecchi.
Against the run of play, Atalanta broke the deadlock 10 minutes before the break from a free-kick when Bremer brought down Gianluca Scamacca outside the area.
From the resulting free-kick, Mario Pasalic played a short pass out to Koopmeiners who smashed into the top corner and beyond Wojciech Szczesny.
Former West Ham striker Scamacca could have doubled Atalanta’s lead when he collected the ball outside the box and aimed into the bottom corner but Szczesny palmed away from goal.
Juventus were level in the 65th minute through a wonderfully worked goal.
Juve were beginning to make their passes work and some neat play down the left allowed Weston McKennie to carry the ball and he slipped through to Cambiaso who poked under the legs of Carnesecchi.
The hosts now had the bit between their teeth following the goal and had another chance but Cambiaso’s audacious effort continued to rise above the bar.
Juve struck again in the 70th minute and McKennie was at the centre of it all when he chested a cross into the path of Milik, who blasted home in style.
But Atalanta equalised five minutes later through Koopmeiners, who latched onto Berat Djimsiti’s through ball and slotted under Szczesny’s legs.
Juventus could have snatched a winner in stoppage time when Chiesa’s cross found Moise Kean unmarked inside the area, only for the striker to head off target.
Massimiliano Allegri called on Juventus to turn around their recent poor form when they host Atalanta on Sunday as he expressed his disappointment at a run that has seen them fall 15 points behind Inter Milan.
Juve topped Serie A as recently as late January, but their title challenge looks all-but over after they collected just five points from their last six games.
They were beaten by defending champions Napoli last time out, with Inter now looking increasingly likely to claim their first title since 2021.
“I am not worried,” said Allegri. “If anything, I am disappointed because we did not get many points in February.
“Even at Napoli we showed some positive signs but in the end we came home with nothing. We need to turn this trend around.
“We have 11 league games left, plus two – hopefully three – Italian Cup games, we are fully in contention to reach our targets and now all our energy must be focused on those.
“It will not be a decisive game tomorrow, but still important. Now the points start to weigh that bit more and because Atalanta are also in the running for a top-four finish.
“We need to read the phases of the game in the right way and improve when we defend, because we have conceded too many goals lately.”
Weston McKennie and Moise Kean are available after injury, though, Adrien Rabiot and Carlos Alcaraz are set to miss out.
Sunday’s visitors are themselves chasing down a Champions League place and are looking to get their season back on track after their recent five-game winning run in the league was followed up by three without a victory.
Manager Gian Piero Gasperini talked up Ademola Lookman after he put in an impressive display during Wednesday’s Europa League draw with Sporting Lisbon.
“Every now and then I push him to become a more complete player, he has the physical ability to do so,” he said.
“Sometimes he hides a little but he can be more of a reference point, especially this year.”
Giacomo Raspadori’s late goal earned a Napoli a second-straight Serie A win for the first time since September as they recorded a 2-1 victory over Juventus, who lost further ground on the league leaders as a result.
A frantic first-half was on show for supporters inside the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s strike three minutes before the break put Napoli a goal up at half-time.
Excitement levels in the second period did not drop and Juventus thought they would take a share of the spoils when Federico Chiesa’s beauty levelled things up.
However, Giacomo Raspadori’s rebound from Victor Osimhen’s missed penalty gave Napoli a second win on the bounce, while – as a result – Juventus dropped further behind leaders Inter Milan.
The visitors were first to test the waters and Dusan Vlahovic aimed and fired just wide of the far post in the 11th minute.
Napoli came closest to opening the scoring when Frank Anguissa was denied by Wojciech Szczesny from six yards and Matteo Politano’s follow up was also kept out by the Poland goalkeeper.
The game was already teeing up to be an end-to-end thriller, this time Chiesa picked out Samuel Iling-Junior but his first-time effort went marginally wide.
Juventus came within inches of breaking the deadlock in the 34th minute when Vlahovic latched onto Chiesa’s through ball, he dinked it over the onrushing Alex Meret and onto the post.
Back came Napoli and Mathias Olivera’s goalbound header was cleared off the line by Alex Sandro with the score somehow still at 0-0.
Three minutes before the break, Napoli had a breakthrough. Moments after Anguissa had a shot blocked, a defensive header fell into the path of Kvaratskhelia, who proved too powerful for Szczesny and volleyed the ball into the bottom corner.
Juventus could have had an equaliser almost straight away after Daniele Rugani capitalised on some loose possession in the home defence, the ball fell kindly to Vlahovic but he could not take advantage and skied his effort over the crossbar.
Chances continued to come for Serbia international Vlahovic but he failed to find the back of the net, this time he broke the line but tamely hit his shot into the firm grasp of Meret.
Juventus went in search of an equaliser, Southampton loanee Carlos Alcaraz decided to have a crack this time but his shot deflected kindly for Meret.
The visitors found an equaliser in the 82nd minute when Chiesa found space just inside the box and cracked a daisycutter into the bottom-left corner to level things up at one apiece.
Napoli were given the chance to retake the lead after Osimhen was brought down inside the box by Joseph Nonge, with referee Maurizio Mariani awarding a penalty following a VAR check.
From the resulting spot-kick, Osimhen saw his strike saved by Szczesny but Raspadori was on hand to smash home his rebound via the post to save the blushes of the Nigeria striker.
Juventus missed a golden opportunity to snatch an equaliser at the death when Chiesa’s driven cross was diverted over the crossbar by Rugani with the goal at his mercy.
Napoli held on for maximum points to move up to seventh and leave their second-placed opponents 12 points off the lead.
Massimiliano Allegri is not fooled by Napoli’s position in the Serie A table as Juventus look to end their long hoodoo at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Heading into Sunday’s clash in Naples the reigning champions are only eighth, with visitors Juve 17 points better off and pushing Inter Milan for top spot.
However, the Bianconeri have not taken three points from this away fixture since March 2019 and head coach Allegri knows Francesco Calzona’s men can be very dangerous on home turf.
“Juventus haven’t won in Naples for five years, it won’t be easy,” Allegri said at his Saturday press conference. “It will be a difficult match as they’re a good team and it’s strange to see them in that position in the table.
“We know that there are endless challenges at Napoli; we need to limit their strengths and try to be proactive when we have the ball.
“They’ve just won a tough match against Sassuolo, and with (Victor) Osimhen returning they’ve found their bite again.
“They’ve had their problems this year but the quality of their players has not changed.”
Juve have problems of their own. Their tense win against Frosinone last weekend was a first victory in five attempts and Allegri wants his men to come flying out of the traps in March.
“We’ve been through a difficult period, it wasn’t a good February. We must ensure that March is better than last month.
“Against Frosinone we conceded two avoidable goals and we must do better as a team when defending.
“Now the most beautiful but also more complicated period of the season begins; we must stay focused and know that picking up points becomes more difficult from now.
“Last year we came third, this year if we came second it would be a good result.”
Federico Chiesa and Danilo should be in contention to feature for Juve in Naples while Moise Kean and Mattia Perin will need longer to recover from injuries and Adrien Rabiot and Weston McKennie have outside chances to be involved.
It may not all be doom and gloom for Napoli, for whom Jens Cajuste and Cyril Ngonge are injury doubts, as they ran riot to win 6-1 at Sassuolo last weekend.
Matteo Politano feels the appointment of Calzona as Walter Mazzarri’s replacement on February 19 could be the catalyst for a late-season resurgence.
The Italy midfielder told sscnapoli.it: “He is giving us a lot of motivation but keeping us calm, too.
“Some of us have known him for years, we know how he works and we are totally on board with following his ideas.”
Stefano Pioli called for his AC Milan side to be more “cynical” in front of goal ahead of their Serie A trip to Lazio as they look to turn the heat up on second-placed Juventus.
Milan were held to a 1-1 home draw by Atalanta in their last fixture – having lost to Monza and Rennes in their previous two matches – leaving them four points behind Juve in the Serie A standings and just five ahead of in-form Bologna in fourth pace.
The Rossoneri will now be eager to get back to winning ways against Lazio on Friday and coach Pioli wants his side’s performance to be consistent, calling for additional cutting edge up front.
“We want to produce the same performance as last week whilst aiming for a different result,” Pioli said on his club’s website.
“We analysed the positives after Atalanta but also tried to understand why we couldn’t score one more than them because we had the chance to. We need to be more cynical”.
Lazio have lost three of their last five Serie A matches, winning the other two, and will also be keen to get back on track after surrendering a half-time lead to lose 2-1 at Fiorentina last time out.
That was the second time in three matches Lazio have ended up empty-handing after taking the lead, and left them eighth in the table, eight points off the top four.
Pioli believes Maurizio Sarri’s “motivated” team will bring the fight to them at the Stadio Olimpico, where Lazio are playing only their second home match in six league outings.
Pioli also ruled out resting any of his players ahead of next week’s Europa League last-16 first leg at home to Sparta Prague.
“They (Lazio) are a team with great quality that comes off the back of an unsatisfactory performance,” said Pioli.
“They will be motivated but can also be thrown off by playing with intensity. The game against Slavia Prague will be very important, we are studying them but are fully focused on Lazio.
“Then we will have an almost full week, there won’t be changes in Rome in order to rest players. I believe that both sides will try to play with different ideas. The midfield battles will be very important”.
While Milan will still hold hope of overhauling Juve in second spot, Pioli concedes that city rivals Inter are unlikely to be caught by any team.
Runaway leaders Inter sit 12 points at the top of the table having won 22 of their 26 matches this season, losing just once and conceding only 12 goals.
Pioli said: “I think that the top spot in the league is decided, Inter are recording incredible numbers as Napoli did last year.
“April 21 (Milan derby) is too far away. We have a big game ahead of us and there are various goals to meet before we think about the derby.”
Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba said he was “sad, shocked and heartbroken” after being banned from football for a doping offence.
The former Manchester United player was on Thursday handed a four-year ban, according to reports in Italy.
The 30-year-old was provisionally suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal in September after testing positive for testosterone following Juve’s Serie A match with Udinese on August 20, where he was an unused substitute.
And, after the failed test was confirmed by Italian anti-doping body Nado in a second sample in October, the four-year suspension requested by the prosecutor’s office has now reportedly been granted.
Pogba has responded by issuing a statement on social media saying he has “never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations”.
He also said he will be lodging an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the ban.
He said on Instagram: “I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect.
“I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me.
“When I am free of legal restrictions the full story will become clear, but I have never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations.
View this post on Instagram
“As a professional athlete I would never do anything to enhance my performance by using banned substances and have never disrespected or cheated fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I have played for, or against.
“As a consequence of the decision announced today I will appeal this before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
Pogba became the world’s most expensive footballer when he moved to Manchester United from Juve for £89million in 2016, before rejoining the Italian giants on a free transfer in the summer of 2022.
The 2018 World Cup-winner has featured only sparingly since returning to Turin after a number of injury setbacks, making six Serie A appearances last season and two this term.
Juventus registered a first win in five Serie A games as Daniele Rugani’s stoppage-time finish secured a 3-2 victory over strugglers Frosinone at the Allianz Stadium.
In an eventful first half, Juve took an early lead through Dusan Vlahovic before the visitors made a stunning reply, going in front themselves via Walid Cheddira’s header and a Marco Brescianini strike.
Vlahovic then brought things back level in the 32nd minute to take him to nine Serie A goals in seven appearances since the turn of the year, and 15 for the season.
It subsequently looked set to be another frustrating outing for Massimiliano Allegri’s men as they failed to add to that through the second half until Rugani popped up with a winner in the fifth minute of time added on at the end.
The result kept the pressure on leaders Inter Milan.
Juve, eager to get back to winning ways, were swiftly in front when Weston McKennie laid the ball to Vlahovic from the right in the third minute and the Serbian’s deflected shot found the bottom corner.
But Frosinone, who had lost each of their last three games, hit back 11 minutes later with Cheddira heading in from Nadir Zortea’s cross.
And after Vlahovic and Bremer missed with efforts on the away side’s goal, Eusebio Di Francesco’s side grabbed a second in the 27th minute as Brescianini received the ball from Abdou Harroui, took it into the area and fired past Wojciech Szczesny.
That shock lead lasted five minutes before Juve – having been forced into a substitution, withdrawing Adrien Rabiot for Charly Alacaraz – restored parity via another McKennie-Vlahovic combination, the latter collecting the former’s pass in the box and bending a shot beyond Michele Cerofolini.
Frosinone threatened again moments later with Brescianini fizzing a shot just over Szczesny’s bar.
Juve pressure in the opening stages of the second half saw Vlahovic head wide from close range, a Rugani strike diverted over off Alcaraz and Federico Chiesa’s shot deflect wide.
Vlahovic shot inches wide in the 74th minute, although the flag went up for offside, and when he fired over from a good position in the 90th minute, it seemed as if victory would elude the team once again.
However, Vlahovic then turned provider as Juve claimed all three points late on, with his header from a corner sending the ball to the far post, where Rugani put the ball through Cerofolini’s legs from a tight angle.
Juventus registered a first win in five Serie A games as Daniele Rugani’s stoppage-time finish secured a 3-2 victory over strugglers Frosinone at the Allianz Stadium.
In an eventful first half, Juve took an early lead through Dusan Vlahovic before the visitors made a stunning reply, going in front themselves via Walid Cheddira’s header and a Marco Brescianini strike.
Vlahovic then brought things back level in the 32nd minute to take him to nine Serie A goals in seven appearances since the turn of the year, and 15 for the season.
It subsequently looked set to be another frustrating outing for Massimiliano Allegri’s men as they failed to add to that through the second half until Rugani popped up with a winner in the fifth minute of time added on at the end.
The result kept the pressure on leaders Inter Milan.
Juve, eager to get back to winning ways, were swiftly in front when Weston McKennie laid the ball to Vlahovic from the right in the third minute and the Serbian’s deflected shot found the bottom corner.
But Frosinone, who had lost each of their last three games, hit back 11 minutes later with Cheddira heading in from Nadir Zortea’s cross.
And after Vlahovic and Bremer missed with efforts on the away side’s goal, Eusebio Di Francesco’s side grabbed a second in the 27th minute as Brescianini received the ball from Abdou Harroui, took it into the area and fired past Wojciech Szczesny.
That shock lead lasted five minutes before Juve – having been forced into a substitution, withdrawing Adrien Rabiot for Charly Alacaraz – restored parity via another McKennie-Vlahovic combination, the latter collecting the former’s pass in the box and bending a shot beyond Michele Cerofolini.
Frosinone threatened again moments later with Brescianini fizzing a shot just over Szczesny’s bar.
Juve pressure in the opening stages of the second half saw Vlahovic head wide from close range, a Rugani strike diverted over off Alcaraz and Federico Chiesa’s shot deflect wide.
Vlahovic shot inches wide in the 74th minute, although the flag went up for offside, and when he fired over from a good position in the 90th minute, it seemed as if victory would elude the team once again.
However, Vlahovic then turned provider as Juve claimed all three points late on, with his header from a corner sending the ball to the far post, where Rugani put the ball through Cerofolini’s legs from a tight angle.
Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri has emphasised the need for calm and focus as the Old Lady look to end their winless run this weekend.
Having been held 1-1 by Empoli while down to 10 men and then beaten 1-0 by Serie A leaders Inter Milan and Udinese, Juve went a fourth successive game without victory last Saturday with a 2-2 draw at Hellas Verona.
Allegri’s side are second in the table, nine points adrift of Inter having played a game more, ahead of Sunday’s game at home to Frosinone.
Allegri told a press conference: “We have worked well, as always, and tomorrow we have only one goal – to return to winning ways.
“Periods like these in football happen, I’ve been through them before and the boys know it too. We have to stay calm and focused and think about the months ahead, with two big goals to achieve – qualification for the Champions League and trying to win the Coppa Italia.
“There are some matches, like last Saturday’s in Verona, where we struggle. It is precisely in these kinds of matches that we have to maintain greater compactness and great concentration.
“If I think back to our last performances, with Inter and Udinese I saw good things, with Verona less so. However, I am convinced that this period will do us good.”
Since Allegri returned to Juventus in 2021 for a second spell in charge, he has overseen the team finishing fourth and then seventh.
He previously had five years in the job from 2014 to 2019, which saw Juve crowned league champions in all five campaigns, part of a sequence of nine consecutive titles for the club.
Allegri added: “Winning at Juve is something that is always demanded and criticism is the order of the day – if you win 3-2 you have conceded too many goals, if you win 1-0 you have scored too few.
“But if I analyse our history, I see that Juve has gone through only two cycles of great and consecutive victories, winning five Scudetti in the 1930s and nine in the last period.
“This means that winning is not something normal and taken for granted. We have the goal of getting back to winning ways and for this the club has started a path and a project that is going forward, also aiming to grow our own players.
“For this, qualifying for the Champions League is fundamental, as it is a competition that we have not missed since 2011, which is also something that cannot be taken for granted.”
Frosinone, Serie B champions last term, are three points above the relegation zone with 23 from 25 games.
Boss Eusebio Di Francesco said at his pre-match press conference: “We deserved the points we got, we probably also demonstrated something more.
“And we have to go and get those points back. Starting from the next one and not being a sacrificial victim of a team like Juventus because we go to play with them. Knowing that sooner or later something has to come back to us.”
Juventus continued to lose ground in their pursuit of Serie A leaders Inter Milan after a 2-2 draw with struggling Verona registered a fourth match without a win.
They had to come from behind twice to take a point that leaves them nine points adrift of their rivals and they should have done better with several late chances.
Verona made the brighter start and they were rewarded with a stunning strike by Michael Folorunsho in the 12th minute.
Tomas Suslov’s corner was headed clear by Adrien Rabiot but the ball only reached Folorunsho just outside the area and the Italian midfielder let rip with a screaming volley off his left foot.
The shot flew into the top left corner, giving Wojciech Szczesny no chance of making a save.
Juventus clawed their way level from the penalty spot with Dusan Vlahovic converting after VAR showed Jackson Tchatchoua had handled the ball, referee Marco Di Bello initially believing the ball had deflected off his knee.
Despite the equaliser, Verona were still in control as they went about their work with greater intent.
Their second goal arrived eight minutes after the interval, Tijjani Noslin showing composure and athleticism to steer the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.
But Verona’s defence then imploded as they allowed Juventus to work the ball to an unmarked Rabiot, who had the time and space to pick his shot and pull the trigger.
Darko Lazovic forced a sharp save by Szczęsny before drama unfolded in the other goal when Rabiot’s cross with the outside of his foot was met by Vlahovic but the Serbian’s header was off-target.
It was a poor miss by Vlahovic and, as the match entered the final 10 minutes, substitute Federico Chiesa blazed a reasonable chance over the crossbar.
Juventus had one more opportunity to take all three points in injury-time but a well worked move ended with Chiesa prodding the ball wide.
It means Inter have a firm grip on the title race with a game in hand on Juve, while AC Milan can take second place from Massimiliano Allegri’s men with a victory at Monza on Sunday.
Massimiliano Allegri challenged his Juventus side to pay “attention to detail” when they travel to Verona for Saturday’s Serie A clash.
Juve sit seven points behind league leaders Inter Milan, who have a game in hand, and are in search of their first win in four attempts following losses to Udinese and the table-toppers, which came after a 1-1 draw with Empoli that saw Arkadiusz Milik sent off in the 18th minute.
Verona sit third-from-bottom with four wins in 24 matches but, with just six points separating 19th-placed Cagliari from Lecce in 13th, will be desperate to gain any advantage on fellow relegation-threatened clubs.
Allegri told a press conference: “We’ve earned a point in two games at home and that’s not good, tomorrow will be a complicated away match, Verona are in a difficult situation but are doing well. We need to work on our attitude not only in terms of performance, but above all in terms of attention to detail.
“Our performances have not been worse, even on a numerical level, but we must analyse everything, beyond the result. Against Udinese, we made a mistake on an inactive ball and we were punished, this is football. Details are important.
“We have to learn what didn’t go well over the last few games. The performances were good and we have to start from there. The management will then work to strengthen the team for next year, because we hope to play many more matches.”
Allegri revealed he will have “everyone available” for the trip to Verona and, while forward Federico Chiesa has been linked to a summer transfer to the Premier League, emphasised that the 26-year-old will be “very important to us for the rest of the season.”
Juventus have not won a trophy since lifting the Coppa Italia in 2021, but the boss was confident his side are on the right trajectory, remaining one point clear of third-placed AC Milan and with an 11-point advantage over Atalanta in the fourth Champions League place.
They also remain alive in the Coppa Italia and will host Lazio in the first leg of their semi-final on April 2.
Allegri added: “It’s true that we haven’t won a trophy for some time, but we have an Italian Cup that we can try to win and we have a path that we have started. Furthermore, never having been out of the Champions League for 11 years in a row is important when rebuilding.
“The most important thing for us now is to get a result tomorrow and then we have to achieve our main objective, which is Champions League qualification. We have three beautiful months ahead to look forward to, with passion and the desire to achieve results.”
Lautaro Giannetti dealt Juventus’ Serie A title hopes a potentially fatal blow as he grabbed the only goal of the game to earn a stunning 1-0 win for struggling Udinese.
The visitors made the most of a sluggish performance from Massimiliano Allegri’s men, who still trail leaders Inter Milan by seven points having played a game more.
Arkadiusz Milik was guilty of wasting most of the home side’s good chances as Udinese held firm for only their second win in 13 Serie A games which moves them three points clear of the relegation zone.
Looking to bounce back from last week’s loss to Inter, Juventus looked unlikely to be duly troubled in a strong start which saw Andrea Cambiaso and Federico Chiesa come close.
Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was busy early on, saving well from Milik’s close-range header then denying Federico Gatti who should have done better from the edge of the box.
The visitors grabbed the lead against the run of play in the 25th minute when Giannetti bundled home the loose ball after a free-kick was flicked on by Thomas Kristensen deep into the home box.
Milik failed to reach a cross-shot from Cambiaso that caused panic in the Udinese box and it was clear the home side were once again missing striker Dusan Vlahovic, who was ruled out with a groin strain.
Milik headed straight at Okoye and it could have got worse for Juventus on the stroke of half-time when Sandi Lovric fired a speculative effort over from just outside the box.
Allegri’s men hardly improved after the break as they huffed forward for little reward, although they did briefly think they had levelled on the hour mark.
A corner was headed back for Milik to nod home but celebrations were cut short as the referee ruled the ball had drifted out of play in the course of the initial set-piece.
Chiesa rammed a 72nd-minute effort over the bar while Kenan Yildiz was inches from connecting with Cambiaso’s left-wing cross in front of goal as Udinese managed to hold on for a famous win.
Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri will equal Marcello Lippi’s mark of 405 games in charge of the club in Monday’s home game against Udinese.
Allegri will draw level with former great Lippi in Juve’s all-time list and behind only Giovanni Trapattoni, who was head coach for 454 matches between 1976 and 1986.
Juve will cut the gap on Serie A leaders Inter Milan to four points with victory and Allegri acknowledged it will be a special occasion for him.
The 56-year-old told a press conference: “I’m very proud to hit 405 games in charge of Juventus, especially because it puts me level with a coach like Lippi, someone who wrote history and someone whom I have a lot of affection for.”
Allegri has guided Juve to five Serie A titles and two Champions League finals – they lost both – during his two spells as head coach.
Lippi also won five domestic titles in two separate stints in charge and was a Champions League winner with the club in 1996. He also led them to three other Champions League finals.
Allegri is hoping his current side can consolidate their place in the top four by returning to winning ways against Udinese after last week’s 1-0 defeat at Inter, who extended their lead at the top by winning 4-2 at Roma on Saturday.
“We didn’t learn (on Saturday) night that Inter are the favourites and that they’re doing great things,” Allegri said.
“We’ve got 53 points and it’s important to get back to winning ways. We need to pull further clear of fifth place and go within four points of first.
“We have no shortage of motivation. We want to get back into the Champions League and on Monday, even if it’s not decisive, it is a very important game. Mentally we’re in good shape.”
Udinese have taken just two points from their last five league games and sit above the relegation zone only on goal difference.
Their solitary win on the road this season was against AC Milan in November.
Allegri said: “Udinese don’t deserve to be where they are in the table. They’ve dropped a lot of points late on in matches, but they have excellent players. They’re physical and they deserve respect.”
Juve’s new signing Carlos Alcaraz made his debut as a late substitute at Inter last week and is hoping to feature again following his loan move from Southampton earlier this month.
Allegri added: “Alcaraz has a lot of quality and the potential to improve. He’s put himself at our disposal, but he’s not ready to start.”
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey signed a pre-contract agreement with Juventus on this day in 2019.
It was announced by the Serie A club that Ramsey, then 28, had agreed a four-year deal and would officially join on July 1, the day after his Arsenal contract expired.
Confirmation of the move ended considerable speculation over the future of the Wales international, who turned down a new deal at the Emirates Stadium.
Juventus had long been the favourites for Ramsey’s signature despite a host of other top European clubs, including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris St Germain and Bayern Munich, being linked.
In a statement issued on his social media platforms, Ramsey wrote: “I wanted to issue a personal statement for all the Arsenal fans who have been extremely loyal and supportive.
“You welcomed me as a teenager and have been there for me through all the highs and lows I have encountered during my time at the club.
“It is with a heavy heart that I leave after 11 incredible years in north London. Thank you.
“I will continue to give the team 100 per cent and hope to finish the season strongly, before heading on to my next chapter in Turin.”
A statement from the Gunners read: “Everyone at Arsenal Football Club wishes Aaron Ramsey a happy and successful future.
“Aaron’s made a fantastic contribution to our club since joining from Cardiff City in 2008. He has always been a consummate professional and will always have a special place in the hearts and memories of Arsenal fans around the world.”
Following his departure from Arsenal, Ramsey played 70 times for Juventus, winning the Serie A title once.
He was loaned out to Rangers before joining Nice on a free transfer. Ramsey re-joined Cardiff last summer after his contract with Nice was terminated by mutual consent.
Ramsey, now 33, scored three times in his opening six games for the Bluebirds, but has been sidelined since September with a knee injury.
Inter Milan moved four points clear at the top of Serie A with a 1-0 win over title rivals Juventus 1-0 in the Derby d’Italia at the San Siro.
The Nerazzurri made the breakthrough just before half-time when Juve defender Federico Gatti diverted a cross into his own net.
Juve keeper Wojciech Szczesny produced a fine late save from Inter substitute Marko Arnautovic as Simone Inzaghi’s men put themselves firmly in the driving seat for the Scudetto.
Charles De Ketelaere scored twice as Atalanta consolidated their place in the top four with a 3-1 win over Lazio at the Gewiss Stadium.
Napoli came from behind to beat Verona 2-1 and close back up on the top six.
Cyril Ngonge scored against his former club to equalise after Diego Coppola’s opener with 20 minutes left before a fine strike from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the closing stages completed the turnaround.
Bottom club Salernitana fought out a goalless draw at Torino, but remain five points adrift of safety.
Real Madrid missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of LaLiga after derby rivals Atletico Madrid scored a stoppage-time equaliser to snatch a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu.
Girona were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Sociedad on Saturday, but Carlo Ancelotti’s men could not make the most of their opportunity which could have sent them four points clear.
Brahim Diaz – drafted into the side after Vinicius Junior suffered a problem during the warm-up, so started on the bench – put Real ahead from close range after 20 minutes.
Atletico saw Stefan Savic’s goal early in the second half ruled out by VAR for offside, but eventually were level through a looping header from Marcos Llorente in the third minute of added time to leave the home fans stunned.
Celta Vigo had earlier edged clear of the bottom three with a 3-0 win at Osasuna, while fellow relegation-battlers Cadiz picked up a point from a goalless draw at Villarreal.
Real Betis and Getafe drew 1-1 at the Estadio Benito Villamarin. Mason Greenwood put the visitors ahead through an early penalty before Isco’s spot-kick levelled things up ahead of the break.
RB Leipzig ended a three-game Bundesliga losing streak to get their top-four challenge back on track with a 2-0 win over Union Berlin, who finished with 10 men.
Lois Openda and Benjamin Sesko were on target either side of half-time, before Union captain Christopher Trimmel was shown a straight red card with 20 minutes left.
Lovro Majer scored twice in the second half as Wolfsburg came from behind to draw 2-2 against Hoffenheim at the Volkswagen Arena.
View this post on Instagram
In Ligue 1, Canada forward Jonathan David scored twice as Lille comfortably beat Clermont 4-0 at Stade Pierre-Mauroy to keep up their top-four challenge ahead of Monaco, who drew 1-1 with Le Havre.
Second-placed Nice and Brest, who are third, cancelled each other out in a goalless draw at Stade Francis-Le Ble.
In Sunday’s late match, Alexandre Lacazette was on target with his 10th league goal as relegation-battlers Lyon beat Marseille 1-0 to move three points clear of the drop zone.
Panos Katseris’ second-half goal helped secure Lorient a 2-1 victory at fellow strugglers Metz, while Toulouse held off a second-half fightback to win 3-2 at Reims.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
