UCL: Juventus boss Allegri admits Maccabi clash a ‘must win’

Massimiliano Allegri says Juventus’ Champions League clash with Maccabi Haifa is a “must win” following their difficult start to the 2022-23 season.

A 3-0 victory over Bologna in Serie A over the weekend saw the Bianconeri finally snap a winless streak that started in August, having lost their first two European games to Paris Saint-Germain and Benfica.

But that result has not fully masked the struggles of a side that have looked ill at ease with themselves this term, off the pace all too frequently at home and abroad, with them yet to claim a Champions League win this term.

The visit of the Israeli Premier League champions – the lowest ranked side in the competition by UEFA Club Coefficient – therefore represents a match in which they must prevail to further stem their troubles.

“We must win, but we don’t need anxiety,” Allegri cautioned. “One game does not solve all the problems. Hopefully, we’ll win.

“It’s not an easy game. Maccabi played well in Lisbon [a 2-0 loss to Benfica] and played an even match with PSG [a 3-1 loss]. They press high, and it’s going to be tough. We have to respect them.

“It’s useless to think about the other teams if we don’t win both games against Maccabi. Tomorrow is our most important Champions League game.”

Allegri added that he expects to rotate players amid a heavy fixture schedule through October, as teams race towards the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup next month.

“Surely, we will change something,” he noted. “We have a packed fixture list. I can rotate a bit during the game.”

Idoko Dennis

Idoko Dennis is a creative videographer/drone pilot and sport writer. He heads the sport desk and deputizes the head of Idoma TV