Former Juventus midfielder Massimo Mauro believes Max Allegri can lead the team back into the title race when Serie A resumes.

Mauro says the availability of Angel di Maria and Paul Pogba will make a big difference.

He told Radio Bianconera: "The big teams when the champions leave must be good at being ready, to protect themselves with young people who can take over the team in the future, Juve did not do it, but relied on elderly and expensive players.

"Juve struggled to worthily replace players of the calibrr of Pirlo, Marchisio, Buffon and Barzagli who were also very important at the level of the dressing room because they guaranteed the Italian backbone that can fully transmit the DNA that has always distinguished Juventus.

"Today, after a poor start, I like the determination that the team is showing to find the right path, thanks to Allegri and also to the words said some time ago by the president.

"Now hopefully the most important player will start playing at least one game. Pogba? If you take a player like that you have to be sure that he is reliable, otherwise it is a serious mistake, which weighs both technically and economically. The recent history of Di Maria and Pogba is that of two players who have not played with continuity, they are good but not reliable."