Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri said it gives him “great pride” to be compared with the likes of Roma counterpart Jose Mourinho.
The pair will lock horns on Saturday evening when Roma visit the Allianz Arena as Juve bid to keep the pressure on Serie A leaders Inter Milan in the title race.
Allegri told a press conference: “It always gives me great pleasure when I’m compared to the ‘old school’ coaches, together with Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti.
Allegri: "My wish for 2024? To feel good and continue to work while having fun."
That brings to a close today's #JuveRoma presser pic.twitter.com/Qys7QWUTSi
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) December 29, 2023
“Personally I believe there are a thousand variables in football, there is no absolute truth.
“Ancelotti is an extraordinary coach, who continues to win and is still doing a wonderful job.
“For Mourinho, the results speak for themselves. He has always achieved them. You may not even like him, but the rest matters little.
“Being compared to them is a source of great pride. The first time I faced Jose I was coaching Cagliari, I was still a ‘child’ and he was already a winning coach with Inter.”
Allegri: "In football there is no truth, and anyone who thinks they have it, can hurt themselves. Coaching great teams is not easy. Mourinho has won a lot, and the results are an irrefutable aspect."#JuveRoma
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) December 29, 2023
Juve head into the year’s final round of Serie A fixtures in second place, four points behind Inter, who play at Genoa on Friday night.
Allegri added: “Roma are a ‘grumpy’ side at the moment, but have one of the best coaches ever on their bench.
“They are good at getting you out of the game and have quality in attack. Great attention is needed as well as patience and compactness, and we must not think of overdoing it.”
Allegri confirmed Alex Sandro (thigh) is “about 10 days” from a return to action, while Mattia De Sciglio and Moise Kean remain long-term absentees.
Roma, currently sixth in the table, 12 points behind Juve, will be buoyed by last week’s 2-0 home win against defending champions Napoli.
Mourinho’s side could also be boosted by the return of Paulo Dybala, who has missed the last three games due to a thigh injury.
Gianluca Mancini will “certainly play” on Saturday as he deals with an on-going groin issue, Mourinho said.
Juve are bidding for their first Serie A title in four years and when asked about their progress under Allegri, Mourinho told a press conference: “Juve are Juve and Allegri is still Allegri.
“We always know what to expect from the team and what to expect from Max.
“When we speak about risultatista (results-oriented) teams or coaches, it’s a strange term.
“I consider getting results to be the most important thing in football. Some people nowadays think it has a negative connotation. When people speak about a risultatista, all the connotations for me are positive.
“Juventus are just that. They defend in numbers and they defend well and when they go on the counter-attack they’re so strong. “
