Allegri believes Juventus must maintain focus despite off-field turmoil.

 


21 January (Reuters) - Massimiliano Allegri, manager of Juventus, urged his team to "do their duty" on the field after the Serie A club was docked 15 points by an Italian soccer court on Friday, leaving them stuck in mid-table.

The ruling, which is damaging to the Turin club's reputation, is harsher than the nine-point deduction requested by a soccer prosecutor during a hearing into Juve's transfer dealings.

Juventus was third in Serie A with 37 points after 20 league games this season, 10 points behind leaders Napoli. The point deduction drops them to tenth place, outside of the lucrative European competition qualifying spots.
Juve said it would file an appeal with the country's Sports Guarantee Board once the ruling's reasons were published.

"After yesterday's events, we need to regroup and focus solely on matters on the pitch," Allegri told reporters ahead of Sunday's Serie A match against fifth-placed Atalanta at home.

"We don't have to start from scratch. The company is involved in the legal proceedings, and there will be an appeal. According to the standings, we currently have 22 points and must try to earn results and makeup ground.
"We must continue to do our duty because the sentence is coming up in two months and we must not have any regrets when the verdict is delivered."

Allegri added that Juventus' season was not over, citing the fact that they are still alive in this season's European and domestic cup competitions.

"I've learned that every situation must be turned into an opportunity," Allegri said.

"We have the Europa League, the Coppa Italia, and 60 league points to play for.
"I'm confident that the players will go to great lengths to make the best of the situation. We are facing a challenge, and perhaps we will be able to accomplish something extraordinary. Anything is possible in football."

Juventus will face French club Nantes in a two-leg Europa League playoff for a place in the last 16 next month and will face Lazio in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals on Feb. 2.

The court also barred 11 former and current Juventus directors from holding office in Italian soccer. Andrea Agnelli, who was replaced as chairman this week after formally stepping down in November, received a 24-month contract.

"In addition to the professional aspect, I am deeply sorry on a personal level for Andrea Agnelli's disqualification...," Allegri


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