Massimiliano Allegri urges Juventus to ‘get through’ tough period

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri is backing his players as they attempt to bring a difficult season to a satisfactory conclusion.

Saturday’s 1-0 Serie A defeat at Lazio left Juve 17 points behind runaway leaders Inter Milan, who entertain lowly Empoli on Monday evening, and knowing they now have only Champions League qualification and the prospect of Coppa Italia glory for which to play.

They will attempt to take a step towards the latter on Tuesday evening when they face the Rome club for the second time in four days, this time on home turf at the Allianz Stadium in the first leg of the domestic cup semi-final, with either Fiorentina or Atalanta awaiting the winners.

Lazio’s Adam Marusic celebrates his winning goal against Juventus

Allegri told a press conference: “The guys must have confidence in themselves. They’re a great group who always give their all on the pitch.

“We have to keep working because we still have two important objectives to aim for in securing Champions League qualification and the Coppa Italia.

“I have nothing to criticise the boys for, we just have to get through this period.”

The 14-times winners head into the game in indifferent form, with Adam Marusic’s stoppage-time strike at the Stadio Olimpico at the weekend extending their league run to just one win in nine games.

Juventus keeper Wojciech Szczesny (left) has admitted his team has not been at its best

With second-placed AC Milan six points ahead of Allegri’s men in third and just two separating them from Bologna in fourth, the pressure is on in the race for Champions League qualification.

In the circumstances, the prospect of reaching a domestic cup final may provide a welcome distraction.

Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny said: “It’s a bad period in which