Massimiliano Allegri looking at bigger picture as Juve seek to cut Inter lead

Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri insists he is planning for the longer term as well as focusing on the present and is not concerned about silencing his critics.

Allegri’s in-form side can cut the gap on Serie A leaders Inter Milan back to two points with victory at home against Sassuolo on Tuesday night.

Juve have gone three seasons without mounting a sustained challenge for the Serie A title since being crowned champions for the ninth consecutive time in 2019-20.

Italy Soccer Italian Cup

But Allegri does not share some fans’ obsession with reclaiming the crown this season, pointing out there is still much work to do just to secure a top-four finish.

He told a press conference: “We spoke as a team and we know that we’re still missing a lot of things to reach our goal of Champions League qualification, we’re taking things one step at a time, so tomorrow we have Sassuolo and then we’ll think about Lecce.

“We need to avoid making long-term predictions and it’s better to stay focused on the short-term.

“I’m not thinking about whether or not I’ve won the fans back on side, we’re doing well because of the guys who go out onto the pitch and win matches.

“Everybody around the team does our best to put the team in the best place to go out and do just that.

“There are two big differences between ourselves and Inter. The first is that they are a team built to win the Scudetto.

“We started off on a different path and we have to keep working without the obsession of winning the Scudetto.

“We are Juventus and we have to do our very best, but football doesn’t end on May 25. We also have to think ahead to the seasons to come for this group of players.”

Adrien Rabiot

Juve will be without suspended defender Federico Gatti, but Allegri