Max Allegri was irritable in a Press conference after the 0-0 draw with Sevilla and warned “Juventus were never the Champions League favourites.”
The Bianconeri have been tipped by many to be among the contenders following a summer of big spending, but opened the campaign with a disappointing home stalemate.
Max Allegri was irritable in a Press conference after the 0-0 draw with Sevilla and warned “Juventus were never the Champions League favourites.”
The Bianconeri have been tipped by many to be among the contenders following a summer of big spending, but opened the campaign with a disappointing home stalemate.
“The performance was good,” insisted the Coach. “In the first half we struggled to get the ball back, but their pressing game inevitably fell away after the break.
“The 0-0 is only disappointing because some people were expecting us to win 3-0. In Europe we need to stay calm, as here some are flying from euphoria to depression. Sevilla didn’t have a single shot on target.
“Juve haven’t won the Champions League for 20 years. We did well on the market, but so did many clubs: it doesn’t mean we will win every single game.
“It is crazy to say Juventus are the absolute favourites to win the Champions League. That was never the case.
“Juve had seven chances to score and normally that’d be enough to win, as Sevilla did not have a single shot on target. The team should not feel disappointed with the performance.
“It’s the first time I haven’t won the opening game of a Champions League group phase, so maybe it’ll bring us luck.”
Allegri was criticised for his tactical and personnel choices, opting to introduce Miralem Pjanic and Alex Sandro only after the hour mark.
“I have a squad of great players and at times I need to change them. It was a choice and then I modified it because I thought I needed more quality close to the box.”