Massimiliano Allegri wary that Frosinone could ruin Christmas cheer at Juventus

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri has ordered his players to put all festive cheer on hold until after Saturday’s Serie A match at Frosinone.

Allegri’s side, who will be without the injured Federico Chiesa, are bidding to extend their unbeaten league run to 12 games and ramp up the pressure on their title rivals.

Victory for Juve in the lunchtime kick-off will lift them to within a point of leaders Inter Milan, who host Lecce later on Saturday.

Allegri told a press conference: “Frosinone will be a tricky away match for various reasons. It is the last match before Christmas and in the festive season week, there is always a different atmosphere on and off the pitch.

“The thing we have to do (on Saturday) is play a match with great attention and concentration.”

Allegri is wary of Frosinone, who sit 13th in Serie A after former boss Fabio Grosso led them to automatic promotion in May.

Now under Eusebio Di Francesco, Frosinone have won five times in the top flight this season and will be brimming with confidence following their shock midweek 4-0 Coppa Italia win at Napoli.

Allegri: “We still have a long way to go in the league, we are looking behind us, trying to continue winning to maintain our position and at the same time stay close to Inter, who I repeat, are the favourites this season.” #FrosinoneJuve

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) December 22, 2023

Allegri added: “We face a side that has lost only one in eight home games, against Napoli, having even taken the lead on that occasion.

“Not only that, during the week they won 4-0 against Napoli and are experiencing a moment of great excitement, which is why the mental approach will be important first and foremost.

“We need to give a performance that I define as serious, the only way to then try to spend Christmas in the best possible way.”

Allegri confirmed Italy forward Chiesa (knee) did not travel with the squad, but France midfielder Adrien Rabiot will return to action after missing last week’s 1-1 draw at Genoa due to foot and side problems.

“I haven’t yet decided which players I will field in attack,” Allegri added. “There are three left – Dusan Vlahovic, Kenan Yildiz and Arkadiusz Milik.

“We left Federico Chiesa at home due to a problem with his patellar tendon, where he feels some discomfort. It made no sense to take Federico along in those conditions.

“The important thing is to know that we have everyone else available, also because the result is too important – regardless of the players who take the field.

“As for Adrien Rabiot, he is available. He is well, he has recovered and is playing.”