Allegri: 'Khedira starts with Sevilla'
By Football Italia staff
Max Allegri practically announced his Juventus starting XI against Sevilla, including Sami Khedira and Juan Cuadrado.
It kicks off tomorrow at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) in the Champions League.
The Coach began by discussing the absentees, as Stephan Lichtsteiner needs further cardiology tests after difficulty breathing during the game with Frosinone last week, while Mario Mandzukic, Claudio Marchisio, Stefano Sturaro and Kwadwo Asamoah are injured.
Martin Caceres was suspended by the club after crashing his Ferrari in Turin last night.
“It’s a shame Lichtsteiner is unavailable, but the medical staff want to perform some more tests,” noted Allegri in a Press conference.
“As for Caceres, we’ve already said he knows he was wrong. Tomorrow we’ll play with Andrea Barzagli, whether it’s three at the back or four.
“Khedira hasn’t played for a while, but he will play tomorrow and he is ready. He’s a player of international level. I don’t know how long he can play, but he will certainly feature.
“Tomorrow we’ll play with Buffon, Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini, Cuadrado, Khedira, Pogba, Evra, Morata and Dybala. I’m keeping the last midfielder to myself. Khedira will certainly play, while we hope to have Marchisio with us on Sunday.
“Cuadrado cannot play every game for 95 minutes, otherwise he’ll grind to a halt at the fourth in a row. It’s the same for Lemina, who is a little fatigued.
“We must get to know two tactical systems well and, above all, rotate the squad when there are games so close together.
“Am I confused tactically? The only confusion is due to the fact I need a right-back and I don’t have one, so I need to change.”
Like Juve, Sevilla have struggled so far this season domestically despite a strong European record.
“There are similarities. Tomorrow it will require great determination and focus. Winning the Champions League is a dream, reaching the Final is an objective.
“We must always guarantee ourselves a spot in the final eight. The level of European football has grown, so there are years when you need to win the group to help yourself get a good draw.”
Allegri was asked about Hernanes, who was particularly disappointing in this weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Napoli.
“He did well against Manchester City, but with Napoli he was disintegrated. He has great technique. The 3-5-2 is not a consolidated system for this team, it is a new tactic and that means it takes time. There are 10 new players we have to explain it to from scratch.”