Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has urged his team to “find extra equipment” ahead of their Serie A clash with Lazio on Saturday.
The Turin giants are unbeaten in their first three matches of the season, having won 2-0 at Empoli in their last game before the international break.
Lazio bounced back from defeat in their first two matches to win 2-1 at champions Napoli and Allegri knows they face a stern test at the Allianz Stadium.
At a press conference, he said: “Tomorrow is a tough game and we have to be 100 percent focused on this game only.
Lazio are a direct contender for a place in the top four. Lazio is a well-organized team, both defensively and offensively.
“We’ll be home tomorrow so we’ll see if we can find some extra equipment after the win at Empoli. There is a good atmosphere in the group and it is always difficult to choose who will start.
“But it’s good to know that we have a competitive team and that will be important for qualifying for the Champions League next season. This is a young group with a lot of desire and we have a big test ahead of us tomorrow.”
Allegri said there was a “good chance” of Federico Chiesa starting as he recovered from the muscle problem that forced him to withdraw from the Italy squad.
Chiesa’s presence will be a welcome boost for Allegri, who has already scored twice this season.
Allegri said he could not comment on the situation regarding Paul Pogba, who was provisionally suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal after testing positive for testosterone.
“We regret the current situation and await developments and further clarity,” he said.
“We hope that light will be shed on what happened as soon as possible. I cannot comment on other issues because they relate directly to Paul and are purely personal.”
He also refused to elaborate on the reasons for Leonardo Bonucci’s sudden departure to German club Union Berlin earlier this month.
“I’ve already said everything I wanted to say about Bonucci several times,” he said. “I don’t feel the need to say more, I just wish him the best of luck for the rest of his career.”