Allegri also better than Ronaldo: his chance to have defeated Valencia Primapagina

in Juve Arithmetically qualify the Round of 32 in the Champions League (in two weeks, we will know whether the first or the second, but I bet that he wins the group), This time I liked Mbadimiliano Allegri more than someone from his teameven Cristiano Ronaldo, author of at least half a decisive goal (he scored Mandzukic, but no matter who would have done) against Valencia. In fact, the Juventus coach has often accused (by me and others, even Juventus supporters) of being timid or timorous, of not playing well on the team and sometimes of making mistakes. correct errors in progress), at the beginning of the second period and with the score still 0-0, he removed Alex Sandro and inserted Cuadrado, moved Cancelo left and agreed to defend with only two central, the combative Chiellini and a Bonucci a little more than normal. Juventus therefore played with two points (Cristiano Ronaldo and Mandzukic), a playmaker (Dybala for us insufficient), three midfielders (Pjanic, Matuidi and Bentancur, also in this race the best in the department), two adapted wings in the background (Cancelo and Cuadrado specifically). All without losing balance and without reckless leaks.

Now, knowing Allegri, one wonders who had made him change so offensively, while it was enough to pbad the round for a microwaved tie enough. For me, two considerations guided him. The first, of an exquisite technicality: if Juve keeps the ball, he returns it, plays it on the players in movement and attacks the depth (more or less what Valencia had done in the first semester) it's one of the strongest teams (if it's the strongest) in the world. The second, practice: Allegri knew that United was drawing at home with the Young Boys, which would have been difficult and we might have escaped the surprise. That's why, if possible, the first place was immediately shielded with the three points. Otherwise, as was the case in the 90s because of Fellaini's goal, it would have been important to keep both points in advance and go win without worries in Switzerland on the last lap.

All because it is not true that there is no difference between first and second place. Meanwhile, in second place, there is the risk of fishing for more skilled and dangerous opponents. Second, the first race is played at home and the second at the outside.. Thirdly, a club that has Ronaldo on the field and wants to win the champions must always play to win. As Juventus also did with United, losing just because football is a "beautiful endless mystery," wrote the great Gianni Brera. Well done Allegri, so, well not because he's repented, but because he's dared and has been rewarded. And yet, in the last second of the first half, he and his team must have been very scared. In fact, Diakhaby is elevated higher than everyone else and, as if he had been thrown by a giant and invisible rubber band, struck his head by putting it under the crossbar. There, not by chance, but certainly with instinct, came this great goalkeeper who proves Szczesny, flying to thwart a sure goal.

Juventus would have been a big problem to rest at a disadvantage, both because it was playing less well than usual (I am referring to the Champions), because taking control of the ball from the back of the pack was a big problem. adversary would have resulted in physical and nervous expense. rather The gesture of Allegri had to give confidence to the team and give everyone the conviction that if you play Juventus and think you're aiming for the Champions League, you have to do more, look, build. The goal (59) Mandzukic realized it after Ronaldo, practically on an equal footing, got rid of Gabriel Paulista with the indelible imitations of his repertoire and that he served his companion a comfortable ball to push on the net. However, no one can ignore that the ball to Ronaldo gave it to him, and not in a metaphorical sense, Joao Cancelo in one of the many raids that characterize his game. Cancelo moved to the left and Allegri asks always a big participation in the match. Valencia could have equalized two minutes later (61st) by a punctual kick from Parejo on which Diakhaby extended his right hand while making fun of Szczesny. I think referee Scottish McCallum canceled the goal and warned the player, even though the touch was anything but easy.

The rest was not only Juve, but almost. Because Dybala, Ronaldo and Madzukic have hired Neto three times, the defensive phase of the bianconeri has always been involved. In this case, very well Mandzukic and Bentancur, which also shows a lot more. The second half was therefore safe, even with a high and aggressive defensive line. Valencia, you see, is not worth the best opponents of this competition (fallen in Europa League), but has a solid system (4-4-2) and players great dribbling. In the end, however, Juve is better. And happy the best of all.