Juventus faced Sporting, from Portugal, this week for the quarterfinals of the Europa League and the Italians came out ahead of the confrontation. Before the match, coach Paulo Sousa said in an interview that Sporting would pass the stage and should not fear Juventus.
“In all honesty, I think Sporting will pass. Whoever eliminates Arsenal, Premier League’s isolated leader, highly motivated team, playing at the limit of intensity and full of great players, cannot fear Juventus. In addition, he is capable of eliminating any opponent in the Europa League”, declared Paulo Sousa to the newspaper Record.
FT | ⌛️ | First leg victory secured! 💪#JUVSCP #UEL pic.twitter.com/0NvJ1MUsAk
— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) April 13, 2023
“It’s not just talking, I think it’s still like that. The team just needs to not lose the fight in midfield, facing an opponent with very short lines and availability for quick moves towards the goal”, completed the former coach of the Flamengo.
Paulo Sousa’s speeches did not go down well in the Italian press, which questioned Juventus coach Maximillian Allegri after Old Lady’s 1-0 victory over Sporting this Thursday.
“I listen and respect everyone’s opinion. I already have a lot to do when analyzing my team, I don’t know if I can give advice to others. I think it wasn’t very nice, it’s a lack of respect”, declared Allegri at a press conference.
🗣 Sunday’s #SassuoloJuve Serie A fixture in focus: ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/9NlPzh2FlL
— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) April 15, 2023
Paulo Sousa commands Salernitana no Italian Championship and are undefeated for six games in the tournament, with draws achieved against Milan e International. The Portuguese coach was hired in February and removed the team from the relegation zone.
“As if I told another coach what to do and what not to do. But there are very good coaches who know how to manage their team and those of others”, added Maximilliano Allegri, mocking Paulo Sousa’s speeches.
Juventus will face Sporting again for the second leg of the Europa League quarterfinals next Thursday, at Estádio de Alvalade, in Lisbon, starting at 4 pm (Brasília time). Before that, the Old Lady visits Sassuolo away from home, this Sunday, for Serie A.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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