Football
9y

Juventus 'very angry' after draw at Roma, says Max Allegri

Massimiliano Allegri says Juventus are "very angry" after only managing a 1-1 draw against Roma's 10 men on Monday night in their Serie A showdown.

Juventus maintained their nine-point advantage at the top of the table, but it seemed like two points dropped after Seydou Keita was able to equalise following Vasileios Torosidis's dismissal.

Allegri said he was unhappy with the way Juventus played in the final 20 minutes, when significant attempts to find a winner were few and far between.

"It is a step forward, but considering the way the game was going we really should've done better," Allegri told Sky Sports.

"We played badly in the final 20 minutes. I was happy until the 70th minute, as we allowed Roma nothing and improved after the break. Once we took the lead, we played another six or seven minutes well, but then sort of stopped playing.

"We leave the field very angry after this draw. It's true nine points are a good margin, but we have got to start winning away from home, as we haven't done so in three games now."

Roma must now find a way to make up the nine points in the final 13 games of the season, but Allegri wouldn't rule out Juve's second-placed rivals quite yet.

"It's not easy for Roma, but there are many points still up for grabs," he said. "It's disappointing to only get a draw from this game and we even risked losing it on another free kick.

"We need to improve, as sometimes we lose sharpness and focus. We are still a long way off our objective and have conceded too many goals recently. We also have to improve in our control of the game when in front.

"Once Roma get into gear and have a series of free kicks around the box, that is naturally going to give confidence to the opposition.

"The lads did very well to slow Roma's tempo and stop them going on the counter. However, we need to be less hasty when in the lead and know when to control the match."

Roma's Keita wasn't happy with the result -- saying "We needed three points and nothing else --  and his manager Rudi Garcia hinted that the race for the Serie A table was nearly over.

"Down a goal with 10 men, a reaction like that shows the squad is alive and has personality and character. Now we've got to focus on defending second place," Roma coach Rudi Garcia said. 

"The match was very tactical with the goals coming from set pieces."

After Torosidis was sent off, Carlos Tevez stepped up for the injured Andrea Pirlo to net the free kick and give Juventus their opener. Allegri said Tevez had been preparing free kicks in training, but Tevez denied that he would be taking over Pirlo's duties.

"I always try to copy Pirlo's position and it's important to watch him in training," Tevez said. "Of course Andrea is still first choice!"

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