Football
ESPN staff 6y

Max Allegri: 'Szczesny is Buffon's heir' at Juventus, not Donnarumma

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri is not interested in pursuing AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma with Wojciech Szczesny already in line to replace Gianluigi Buffon.

Buffon, who turns 40 this month, has been expected to retire after this season, though he hinted at some doubts over his future in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The goalkeeper also declined to give advice to Italy teammate Donnarumma about a potential move to the Bianconeri, though he did say "you never go wrong with Juve."

But speaking at a news conference ahead of Wednesday's Coppa Italia quarterfinal against Torino, Buffon's manager said Juventus already have a goalkeeper for the future.

"Szczesny is Buffon's heir, I've already said that and I repeat it," Allegri said of the former Arsenal and Roma man. "Juventus did good business in getting such a good player and bringing him in a year before Gigi stops at Juventus.

"I'm very happy, there's a good relationship between the two of them, they respect each other both as professionals and as men, so I don't see any problem.

"Donnarumma is a young lad who has to grow, he's at Milan and he's forging his path. But Juventus have Buffon's replacement."

Juventus are a point behind Serie A leaders Napoli, who have 48 points at the midway point of the season, and Allegri said his side would need to do better than that in the second half to win their seventh consecutive Scudetto.

"We can't lost any more points to Napoli," Allegri said. "We have to stay in Napoli's wake or try to surpass them with wins, because from Week 8 on -- when you're practically missing 11 games -- the Scudetto is decided.

"That's the point at which you have to attack, because if you ease off it becomes difficult to recover.

"The Scudetto quota, the projection at the moment, is 96."

In winning their six recent titles, Juventus have only passed that mark once -- when setting a record with 102 in the 2013-14 season.

First though, Juventus must face the cup test against their local rivals, and Allegri warned his side that progression should not be taken for granted.

"No, we absolutely can not underestimate it," Allegri said. "First and foremost it's a derby, so the derby is always a game unto itself.

"Regardless of the injuries we have, we have an objective and that is to win, because the Coppa Italia is a goal for us, like the Champions League and the league."

Allegri said Paulo Dybala would face Torino, while Miralem Pjanic was named in the squad after sitting out last weekend. Mattia De Sciglio could return from injury on Saturday against Cagliari.

Torino are dealing with a number of injuries and will be without top scorers Andrea Belotti and Adem Ljajic.

^ Back to Top ^