Juventus vs Carpi - Massimiliano Allegri wants Juventus to finish season in style

Posted Saturday, April 30, 2016 by PA

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri wants his newly-crowned champions to finish the season in style but will rest players against Carpi with one eye on the Coppa Italia final.

The Old Lady claimed a fifth consecutive Serie A title when second-placed Napoli lost 1-0 at Roma on Monday.

Allegri's men now have three pressure-free league games remaining in which to celebrate their success - starting at home to Carpi on Sunday - ahead of the cup final against Milan on May 21.

"We're delighted and euphoric but can't afford to switch off," Allegri told reporters at a Juventus press conference.

"It's our duty to sign off the campaign in style.

"Tomorrow's our first home game as champions. Those who need a rest will sit the game out.

"Who will play? Here's a start for you: Buffon, Bonucci, Rugani, Evra, Pogba, Alex Sandro and Morata.

"I want the team to be focused on our cup final, so we can sign off the season on a high."

Allegri has close to a full complement of players to choose from following last week's 2-1 success at Fiorentina.

Colombia international Juan Cuadrado and forwards Paulo Dybala and Simone Zaza could be among the players given a break now the title has been secured.

Italy under-21 international Daniele Rugani looks likely to retain his place in defence, continuing to deputise for Giorgio Chiellini who is struggling to recover from knee injury.

Midfielder Claudio Marchisio (torn anterior cruciate ligament), Uruguayan defender Martin Caceres and back-up goalkeeper Neto will all miss out once again having been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.

The Bianconeri had a stuttering start to the season, winning just three of their opening 10 Serie A games, but recovered to claim 24 victories from 25 and comfortably retain the title.

They travel to Verona next Sunday before playing their final league fixture against Sampdoria at Juventus Stadium the following weekend.

Carpi travel to Turin in good form but in a precarious position at the wrong end of the table.

Manager Fabrizio Castori knows his side, who are only three points and one place above the relegation zone despite winning four of the last seven, face an uphill task to record a positive result.

"Juve is a structured team, they are technical and strong physically," he said at Carpi's press conference. "Collecting 24 wins out of 25 is a great thing.

"Tomorrow will be a difficult challenge but we will try to deal with it in the best possible conditions.

"To claim the three points, the players will need the right attitude, a spirit of sacrifice and commitment."

The visitors will be without the suspended Lorenzo Lollo after he was sent off during the 1-0 victory over Empoli on Monday, while fellow midfielder Raffaele Bianco has accumulated too many yellow cards and also misses one game.

Napoli loanee Eddy Gnahore and Matteo Fedele, borrowed from Sion, will be absent for the rest of the campaign through injury.

Carpi host Lazio and travel to Udinese in the final two matches of the season and will need to pick up points in order to stay ahead of 18th-placed Palermo and avoid an immediate return to Serie B.