Tacchinardi argues former Juventus manager would avoided big defeat to Galatasaray | OneFootball

Former Juventus midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi believes the team would have escaped with a better result against Galatasaray if they had Max Allegri in charge.

The Bianconeri suffered an agonising defeat in the first leg of the Champions League playoffs. In the first half, they turned the result upside-down thanks to Teun Koopmeiners’ brace. However, they fell apart after the break, partially due to Gleison Bremer’s injury.

The Turkish giants scored two goals to retake the lead, and were then given a numerical advantage following Juan Cabal’s dismissal.

Sensing the opportunity to open up a big gap before the return leg in Turin, Galatasaray kept coming forward, and they managed to add two more goals, ending the contest 5-2.

Alessio Tacchinardi believes Juventus needed a pragmatic manager like Max Allegri

This result means that Juventus have a daunting task next Wednesday, as they must cut a three-goal deficit just to equalise the scoring on aggregate.

Since his arrival in Turin in early November, Luciano Spalletti has been widely praised for the noticeable improvement in terms of results and performances.

Luciano Spalletti and Max Allegri (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

However, Tacchinardi argues that a pragmatic, defensive-minded manager like Allegri would have been able to mitigate the damage once his team was reduced to 10 men.

“In the second half, you had to park the bus and clear the ball out of your area,” said the 50-year-old in his interview with IlBianconero.

“Instead, you end up conceding five… With Allegri, it would’ve finished 3–2.”

The Derby d’Italia effect & Koopmeiners’ ‘revival’

Tacchinardi feels Juventus were physically and mentally exhausted in the aftermath of their controversial Derby d’Italia defeat three days earlier and all the drama that ensued on and off the pitch, while arguing that the team lacks quality depth.

“In Milan, Juve played, ran, actually played football. I’m convinced no one slept after that match. The next day was the worst, because you had to travel immediately to Turkiye. This team has 11 players who can help you — the others can’t.”

Finally, the former Juventus star is hoping that Koopmeiners’ brace proves to be the beginning of a more prosperous chapter.

“Credit to Koopmeiners, I hope it’s a rebirth. He scored twice yesterday, and the second was a beauty.

“Of course, it must be noted that his first goal came in February… Until yesterday, he hadn’t even provided an assist.”