Football
ESPN staff 7y

Juventus manager Max Allegri alert to knockout round challenges

Massimiliano Allegri has played down claims his side have an easy road into the Champions League's later stage after finishing Group H leaders on Wednesday.

Goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Daniele Rugani lifted the defending Italian champions over over Dinamo Zagreb in the two teams' final group game ahead of Monday's UCL draw for the last-16 matchups.

While Dinamo did not qualify for the knockout stage, Juventus, as group winners, look to be in strong position to progress into the later rounds. However, Allegri cautioned against such ideas.

"It all depends on the ball that gets pulled out from the pot. In any case, sooner or later we're going to have to face them all," Allegri told Mediaset Premium.

With Juve creating very little heading into the break, Allegri hailed a tactical switch as the turning point for his side in the match.

"I changed system because we needed an extra man in the middle of the park, as we were a little slow.

"The second half was a little better and Dinamo opened up after the first goal, then dropped off physically and it became easier for us.

"This season we hadn't yet won a Champions League game on home turf, so this result is certainly positive.

"The diamond midfield allows us to have more players in the middle, but the first-half system was also one that allowed us to win 12 games in Serie A. It's all about giving the opponent few reference points."

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