Following the Bianconeri’s infuriating 4-3 defeat to Portuguese giants Benfica, which eliminated them from the Champions League, Juventus boss Allegri touched upon his thoughts regarding the fixture.
Despite Dusan Vlahovic scoring from point-blank range to seal the equalizer, it was far from enough to shift the tide within the match.
A hand-ball from full-back Juan Cuadrado allowed the former Inter midfielder Joao Mario to notch a goal from the penalty spot. In addition, some horrendous defending from Leonardo Bonucci paved the way for Rafa to tally a brace.
Although the young prospect Samuel Iling-Junior provided energy on the pitch and almost inspired a comeback as he set up two goals after being subbed onto the field within the 70th minute, it wasn’t enough for Juventus to cross the finish line as they were eliminated within the Group Stage for the first time since 2013.
In an interview with Dazn, as relayed by Ialian news outlet Tuttomercatoweb, the Tuscan tactician expressed his emotions after being eliminated very early within the Champions League:
“Tonight you had to stay inside the game, because then the chances came, even in a bad first half every time we threw the ball into the box you had the feeling of being able to hurt. We were sorry, Soulé could scoring and maybe we would have done the last few minutes with the hope of winning. However, the elimination certainly does not come for tonight’s match “
In addition, the gaffer explained how Juventus will reset going forward throughout the rest of the campaign:
“We start again thinking about the championship, then also about the Europa League because we are not yet in it. Miretti has already played 12 games, Soulé is growing, Iling is with us for a month: they have enthusiasm and recklessness and this can do us good”