Juventus vs Napoli - No pressure on Higuain to score in every game, says Allegri

Posted Friday, October 28, 2016 by PA

All eyes will be on Gonzalo Higuain when he starts against Napoli - but Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri insists the 90million euro striker should not be the centre of attention.

The Argentinian scored a record-equalling 36 goals for Napoli last season, winning the Capocannoniere award and the hearts of Azzurri fans everywhere before controversially switching allegiance to the Serie A champions.

His contribution to the Juve cause has been modest compared to his exploits in Naples, but, heading into Saturday night's showdown in Turin, Higuain has still registered seven strikes in Bianconero.

Allegri would, of course, like the former Real Madrid star to hurt his former employers, but his priority is ensuring his team add three points to Juve's lead over second-placed Roma.

Speaking to juventus.com, he said: "His numbers are good, he's already got seven goals and the rest of the team have scored many more.

"I'm really happy with what he's doing, even when we're out of possession.

"It's not essential that he scores every weekend, we just want to do well in every competition.

"The first objective is qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League with a result (against Lyon) on Wednesday, then we've got the Supercoppa in December.

"We won't talk about trying to win the league until March.

"The table doesn't tell you anything after nine or 10 games. This is the time of the season when you carve out a niche for yourself, and at the moment there are four sides who have done very well."

Midfielder Claudio Marchisio could start again after returning from injury to play in the 4-1 victory over Sampdoria while striker Paulo Dybala and defender Patrice Evra are on the treatment table.

Napoli arrive in Turin without Arkadiusz Milik, ruled out for five months due to a knee injury, and the suspension of Manolo Gabbiadini leaves the visitors' forward line looking even more lightweight.

Since Higuain left and Milik was injured on Poland duty, the southerners' goals have come from the likes of wingers Dries Mertens and Jose Callejon, who have been deployed as makeshift strikers.

Boss Maurizio Sarri, unlike the Napoli faithful, harbours no ill will towards Higuain but intends to give him a friendly ticking-off when the pair reunite.

"How will I greet him on Saturday?" said Sarri following Wednesday's 2-0 win over Empoli.

"Like a father would when talking to a son who has made him angry."

The Azzurri are four points behind Juve and Sarri understands how difficult it will be to close that gap.

"We're going up against the strongest team in the league, we know that," he told sscnapoli.it.

"We will be calm, though, trying not to put too much pressure on ourselves, but we need to be aware of how good we can be when we play with clear heads and without fear."