Pjanic talks Allegri future at Juventus and De Rossi impact at Roma | OneFootball

Miralem Pjanic backed Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus and had high praise for his former Roma teammate Daniele De Rossi.

Allegri seems destined to be dismissed by the Old Lady in the summer as the club’s poor form continues to rage on. His side were held to a 2-2 draw by Cagliari on Friday, meaning they’ve managed just two wins in their last 12 league matches, seeing faith in Allegri plummet.

It’s a different story for De Rossi at Roma; the former midfielder has continued to exceed expectations and has guided his side to the Europa League semi-finals after an impressive pair of wins over Stefano Pioli’s Milan.

Pjanic on Roma and Allegri’s Juventus

Speaking on pages two and three of today’s Corriere dello Sport, Pjanic first reflected on his decision to leave Roma for Juventus back in 2016.

“That’s football. I stayed for five years, but I had previously rejected many opportunities. Juventus already wanted me at the end of the third year, I refused because I felt I still had to give something, I wanted to try to win with Roma.

“We didn’t succeed, so I decided to try something else. I did it in pain, but I knew that it was the right decision. PSG was also looking for me, I went to Juve, and I have no regrets. However, Roma will always remain in my heart. By the way, I’ll tell you right away, I had no doubts about Daniele.”

Pjanic touched on his memories of playing alongside De Rossi.

“I spent five years with him, and I expected to find him in the dugout one day. I’m happy, he’s a friend and I appreciate him. He is showing his football, and I’m happy with his renewal. Now comes the difficult part, managing to maintain this level.

“He always repeats it, this job is fabulous, but it’s crazy with study and pressure. Daniele knows the place, he knows how to manage the environment well and also the press. I hear him talk, he knows how to do it.”

He discussed Roma’s Europa League win over Milan.

“Exactly, he prepared the double challenge impeccably from a tactical and mental point of view. This is because he is intelligent, serious and prepared. But also, because he had many strong coaches from whom he learned while playing.

“He took something from them and developed his own football. El Shaarawy’s move to the right to block Theo and Leao? Surprising and perfect, and he will have thought back to some similar move made by some of his coaches in the past. Spalletti comes to mind, for example.”

He weighed in on Allegri’s struggles at Juventus.

“He returned to Juve, and I know this for sure, he was 99% about to join Real Madrid. For him Juve is very important.

“Everything that happened at the club had an impact on the choices and performances of the team, which is why it seems impossible to blame Max for a performance that isn’t always exhilarating.

“Allegri remains Allegri, one of the most successful and many clubs would like him on the bench. He has done his best up to this point and I don’t think it’s his fault if there have been some negative periods. In recent years he has lost important players.”

Finally, Pjanic discussed the top players Allegri and Juventus have lost in recent years, like Paulo Dybala.

“And not only. Ronaldo, Chiellini, Mandzukic, Bonucci, Buffon. Paulo is one of the players I loved most on the pitch, among the strongest I have played with. He is among the best three in the league, he is a stratospheric player.

“He feels football, he knows football, we understood each other with our eyes closed. There is a Roma with Dybala and there is one without, two completely different teams. Not only for the goals, but also for the opportunities he creates.

“His passes are never boring, and he does them with his eyes closed. The same thing was said about technical quality and talent when Roma had Totti. There was a Rome with Checco and one without.

“I hope the owners do everything they can to keep him. I often hear from Paulo, he is very happy with Roma and from Roma, I don’t struggle to understand.”