Former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri saw the team’s 2-2 draw against Torino on Saturday as a guest at the home of chairman Andrea Agnelli, who now does not rule out bringing the former manager back to the club.
Under rookie manager Andrea Pirlo, Juventus have fallen to fourth in the Serie A table. Leaders Inter are 12 points away from La Vecchia Signora, so Pirlo’s focus is now on surviving the battle for the Champions League qualifier, which could take an evil turn if Juve do not win their upcoming matches against challengers Napoli and Atalanta.
Pirlo has struggled during his debut season | Enrico Locci / Getty Images
Talks about a potential return for Allegri, who led Juve to five straight titles between 2014 and 2019, have long been full, but things have increased now that Il Giornale (via Goal) says that Agnelli welcomed Allegri into his home to see Saturday’s draw. .
Agnelli is perceived to have come to terms with the fact that Pirlo may not be ready for the Juventus job, and while he is determined not to “betray his friendship” with the legendary midfielder, he fears he may be forced to make a decision he does not want.
The pair watched as a toothless Juventus side needed a nod in the 79th minute from Cristiano Ronaldo to spare their blushes and lost points against a relegation candidate for the second match in a row.
Agnelli is determined to be loyal to Pirlo | Stefano Guidi / Getty Images
According to Tuttosport, Wednesday’s meeting with Napoli may very well decide things for Pirlo. In Partenopei, Juve can replace the top four with a victory, and Agnelli is increasingly worried about his team’s chances of reaching Europe’s best competition.
There have been informal discussions at board level about a potential return for Allegri, who remains jobless after leaving Juventus in 2019, and a defeat against Napoli can ensure that these plans are implemented.
Speaking after the Torino draw, defender Giorgio Chellini admitted reluctant defeat in the title race and admitted that they can not afford to take their foot off the gas in search of a place among the top four.
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– JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) April 3, 2021
“We have been in this position since the start of the season, we have always danced around this area of the table,” Chiellini told DAZN (via Goal). “We are aware that with better consistency we could have fought for the title and the Champions League.
“We are in a group with many teams, but at least on Wednesday we will count on our number of games played. We still have to fight to the end.”
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