Juventus lost ground in the race for the Champions League in the Serie A, losing to Fiorentina in a chaotic day in the league.
At the same time as Juve, rivals Como, Milan and Roma were playing games of their own. All of them won, enhancing their chances of Champions League qualification.
With a game to go, Juve are sixth in the table and two point Roma and Milan.
Luciano Spalletti spoke to Sky after the loss to Fiorentina, appearing self-critical that the player couldnโt perform better despite having the backing of the stadium.
He said โ via Tuttomercatoweb: โIn my opinion, the growth was significant. Today we had to play football and have a level of personality that matched the importance of the match. The fact that we were put through these moments and unable to react, unable to express the playersโ level, makes me question myself before talking about the lads.
โI told them, if I come to the pitch and the team puts in this performance, Iโm the one who needs to be scrutinized. The match, in many ways, was terrible; in others, the incidents didnโt go our way. We found ourselves behind without conceding almost anything, despite not starting well. We didnโt capitalize on the atmosphere of a beautiful stadium.โ
Speaking further, he said that the responsibility of the team not conceding cheap goals falls on him more than the players.
โWhat explanation do you want me to give? I have to make sure this doesnโt happen, by creating a clarity in the playersโ heads that allows them to play clean balls, create the right spaces, and be ready for a fierce counter-attack. These are the incidents that give you the help that makes the difference.โ
Recognising what missing out on the Champions League will mean to Juve, he said: โInstead, we did little to meet the demands of the match. We also know that without the Champions League, the club loses money, but I wouldnโt call it a do-or-die match. Nowadays, they try to create too much emotional overload, and the players suffer. Iโm trying to take this pressure off the players. In the end, the game remains, and thatโs what got us here. We need to re-exhibit that game.โ
Juveโs last game of the season will see them take on Torino in what will be a stiff Turin derby. They will now have to hope that Milan or Roma at least draw their games and give the Bianconeri hope for Champions League qualification.
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Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN
