Juventus Coach Max Allegri has noted Valencia are not a typical Spanish team and are ‘very smart tactically, allowing you very few chances’.
The Bianconeri eliminated Marcelino Garcia Toral’s side from the Champions League on Tuesday night with a 1-0 win but the Italian champions had praise for their opponents.
“Compared to the other Spanish sides, Valencia are very smart tactically and allow you very few chances,” Allegri told Sky Italia after the game.
“Atletico Madrid are more physical in their defending, whereas Valencia are more tactical in the way they block off all the spaces. It means the moment you manage to find a gap, you have to run through it straight away.
“Valencia proved they are in good shape, have the best defence in La Liga and it’s not easy to score against them.
“They attacked with four and defended with six, so we struggled to find the spaces and break them down.
“We were more organised and aggressive in the second half and found a way through. Alex Sandro felt pain in the flexor and it was better to stop at half-time.
“We should’ve been sharper going for the second goal. We did well, but should’ve done better once we got the ball in an attacking situation and gone straight for goal, which we did less well tonight than in other occasions.
“They always keep covered and six behind the ball, so counter-attacks just aren’t going to happen against them. It’s not like against Manchester United, when we were so much in control that we got relaxed and distracted. This was a game where we had to use our heads.
“This is a team that is largely the same as last season, but playing together we have improved over time and move the ball quicker. Ronaldo gives us a sense of security and confidence, but the team is essentially the same.”
