Inter defeat could be blessing in disguise - Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri

19 September 2016 16:38

Juventus may have seen their perfect start to the new Serie A campaign come to an end on Sunday but manager Massimiliano Allegri believes that could be a blessing in disguise as they prepare to host Cagliari.

The Italian champions slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Inter Milan, who bounced back from their shock Europa League defeat to Hapoel Be'er Sheva, while Massimo Rastelli's side claimed their first win of the season with an impressive 3-0 success over Atalanta.

Allegri believes there is plenty of room for improvement as they start a run of three fixtures in the space of nine days.

He told Juve's official website after the weekend defeat: "We now have a run of important matches and we need to return to winning ways, remembering that we have to do the business on the pitch in order to secure the results we want.

"The Inter defeat isn't a tragedy and could actually be a blessing in disguise if we react in a sufficiently mature manner."

Frank de Boer's Inter will look to secure a third straight league victory when they travel to Empoli.

With Juventus losing at the San Siro, Napoli's 3-1 win over Bologna saw them climb to the top of Serie A. Despite losing striker Gonzalo Higuain to their title rivals, summer signing Arkadiusz Milik has been a revelation, with four goals in as many games.

Genoa will be the next side to attempt to stop the 22-year-old and a Napoli side who remain the only Serie A side yet to taste defeat.

Roma host new-boys Crotone, who earned their first-ever Serie A point at the weekend, while Manchester City loanee Joe Hart will look to keep another clean sheet when Torino face Pescara.

Palermo look to secure their first league win of the campaign when they take on Gian Piero Gasperini's Atalanta at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia.

AC Milan host Lazio at the San Siro in the only Tuesday night fixture and Vincenzo Montella's men will aim to build on a dramatic win at Sampdoria last Friday which snapped their two-game losing streak.

Serie A's early-season surprise package Chievo, who lie fifth, welcome Sassuolo and Bologna face Sampdoria.

Source: PA-WIRE