Juventus’ new board of directors have set the target of winning the Europa League for Massimiliano Allegri this season, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Bianconeri crashed out of the Champions League in record-breaking fashion. They fell into the Europa League, and the club’s chiefs have ordered Allegri to make the most of it.
Juventus currently sit ninth in Serie A following a 15-point deduction by the Italian football federation (FIGC) after they found the club guilty of manipulating their transfer numbers.
The club’s entire board of directors, including president Andrea Agnelli and vice-president Pavel Nedved, resigned. John Elkann, head of the Agnelli family, is now in charge of the Turin club.
Elkann and the new board want Allegri to win the Europa League, as it is their most feasible route into the Champions League next season.
Juventus are 12 points off Atalanta (third), AS Roma (fourth) and AC Milan (fifth), who are all on 41 points. The Old Lady may not make it into the top four at the end of the season.
However, there is an alternative. Juventus can qualify by winning the Europa League.
Juventus take on Nantes in the Europa League play-offs on Thursday. They are up against Antoine Kombouare’s spirited side, who are 13th in the French Ligue 1.
It is the first task for Allegri’s side to negotiate, and they will be up for it. Juventus have won their past two league games since that shocking defeat to AC Monza.
They had gradually clawed their way into a decent position in the league after disappointing domestic and European results earlier this season.
Then the sanctions hit them, and the points deduction forced them back down the table.
Allegri has been urging his men to forget the table and the deduction. He wants them to focus on grabbing as many available points as possible.
They welcome Les Canaris to the Allianz Stadium tomorrow for the first leg of the Europa League tie. Juventus will travel to France for the reverse fixture next week.
