Still long way to go to ensure fourth place, says Juve’s Allegri

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said there is still work to do to ensure the Turin side secure fourth spot in Serie A and a place in next season’s Champions League.

Juve, who finished fourth last season under Andrea Pirlo, have fallen away in the title race since their defeat to Inter Milan this month, with the champions and league leaders now nine points above them with five games to play.

Now, Allegri believes, only fourth place this season is achievable for the team with the most Serie A titles in history, even though fifth-placed AS Roma lost at Inter on Saturday.

“Fourth place is not yet certain,” Allegri told a news conference on Sunday ahead of his side’s clash with Sassuolo.

“Having reached the final of the Italian Cup that allows us to play for a trophy and it is still a goal. There is still a long way to go for fourth place, there are several matches and direct clashes with Lazio and Fiorentina (below them).

“We take one step at a time otherwise we go out of control. Then in the end we will evaluate the work done, not only on the results. We discuss with the club on a daily basis because we will need to improve what we have done this year.”

Allegri is taking nothing for granted ahead of Monday’s clash against a mid-table side with little to play for, who he believes will be out to take a scalp in Emilia-Romagna.

“They are a technical team in an excellent position in the standings,” Allegri said. “For them it is an important game because beating Juve would be a prestigious result.

“You have to play a fair game, of technique, otherwise we will come out with broken bones.”

Allegri said Weston McKennie, Arthur and Manuel Locatelli will all miss the trip to Sassuolo with injuries.