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Massimiliano Allegri flattered by Jose Mourinho comparison

Massimiliano Allegri flattered by Jose Mourinho comparison

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri says he is ‘very happy’ to be compared to AS Roma head coach Jose Mourinho ahead of their teams’ clash in Serie A on Sunday night.

The Bianconeri face an uphill battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Having been docked 15 points, they are 12 points off the top four.

However, the prospect of Allegri’s team forcing their way into the top four is not far-fetched for a side that have won their last four league games in a row.

Juventus are nine points behind Sunday’s opponents, who will prove difficult to overcome, but a win over the Giallorossi would be a massive boost to their unlikely top-four hopes.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of Sunday’s showdown, Allegri heaped praise on Mourinho, who he has been likened to, admitting that he was flattered by the comparison.

“If I associate myself with him, I’m very happy – he’s won 26 trophies in his career, and that’s not a few,” Allegri told reporters (via TuttoMercatoWeb). 

“He’s doing an excellent job in Rome. Roma hadn’t fought to get into the Champions League for a few years, they scored 44 points.”

Mourinho will not be in the dugout on Sunday night. The Portuguese tactician will serve the first of his two-match ban following a heated confrontation with the fourth official during his side’s 1-0 defeat to relegation-threatened Cremonese.


Although Roma are expected to appeal the ban, Mourinho is expected to sit out the Juventus clash.

“I’d be sorry if he’s not there tomorrow – I hope to see him on the pitch,” Allegri added. 

“In my opinion, once the coach is kicked out of the game, he can be given a fine, then the next time he has to be on the bench. Fines can maybe help those who have need.”

Roma are firmly in the mix for a place in next season’s Champions League. It would be their first qualification since the 2017/18 campaign.

Sunday’s clash pits two teams needing maximum points to further their European ambitions, setting the tone for a mouth-watering tie.

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