Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo has held a meeting with Andrea Agnelli after the team’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League against FC Porto, insisting that he fears no sack.
Juventus were sent packing from the last 16 of the European prestigious tournament by the Portuguese giant despite a 3-2 win at the Allianz Stadium last night. Porto had won the first leg 2-1. So, they qualified via the away goal rule.
It could be recalled that Juventus boot Massimiliano Allegri and Maurizio Sarri out after the Old Lady failed to progress beyond the last 16 of the competition in 2019 and 2020. Pirlo, on the other hand, is not afraid of ending up like their predecessors.
While stating that he doesn’t know why Sarri, his predecessor, was sacked despite winning the 9th straight Scudetto for the Old Lady, Pirlo said he was brought in to coach Juventus with ample approach. He added that he had instituted a project that was always meant to grow over the years.
Speaking in his post-match interview with Sky Sport Italia, he confirmed that having spoken to Agnelli about the club’s future, Pirlo said he was told that the project has just begun.
While expressing his disappointment at not qualifying for the next round of the tournament, the World Cup winner said the team wanted to progress, but that’s not the end of a cycle.
He concluded that whoever will be part of it in the future will be proud to be involved.
Meanwhile, former Juventus President Giovanni Cobolli Gigli says the Old Lady was wrong to have signed Cristiano Ronaldo, lambasting Pavel Nedved and Fabio Paratici.
Speaking on Radio Punto Nuovo, Gigli admitted that Ronaldo is a great champion, but he is a wrong signing for the Bianconeri because he is expensive.
Not blaming Pirlo for the team’s present status, the former president said Juventus need to rebuild now.
Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed