Maurizio Sarri and Massimiliano Allegri are no strangers at this point, and their philosophies when it comes to football remain largely different.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) write, the last two coaches who led Juventus to the Scudetto meet tonight in a match that, for different reasons, is worth a lot. It definitely matters more for Allegri, who’s chasing Inter and (despite not admitting it) dreams of a second star with the Rossoneri.
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Sarri will walk out to a packed Stadio Olimpico again, with eighth place in his sights. The two don’t like each other, even though they’ve known each other and have been competing for a lifetime. To be precise, since Sangiovannese-Aglianese, Serie C2 Group B in November 2003: a 0-0 draw, with no shots on target.
A 23-year rivalry
In that game, Max was in his first season after hanging up his boots as a player, while Sarri was in the umpteenth of a long apprenticeship in provincial football. Over 15 years apart, they’ve climbed the ranks, won trophies and have often been opponents in the Scudetto race (Juventus vs. Napoli), demonstrating different footballing beliefs.
One might even say they are ‘diametrically opposed’. Sarri is the one who plays beautifully (almost) at all costs, the untouchable 4-3-3 with obsessive organisation. Allegri isn’t shy about defending with a low block, changing formations depending on the squad, and using pragmatism.
They are the ‘North and South Poles of football’, aroud representatives of coaches who focus on playing style versus results. Two parallel lines that, from a tactical and football aesthetic standpoint, cannot intersect.
“The result is what counts. For the spectacle, you go to the circus,” was one of Allegri’s cult phrases. “For me, results are achieved through play. I can’t think any other way,” Sarri’ once said. Day and night.
On the eve of the match, the ‘Commander’ Sarri teased that he envies his colleague’s backing, a topic the two have clashed over in the past. Allegri, a company man who has never asked for signings in press conferences, emphasized Lazio’s strength more to warn his players than to compliment.
