Sarri Bemoans Juventus Champions League ‘Curse’
Maurizio Sarri feels Juventus are under a UEFA Champions League ‘curse’ after the Italian champions were eliminated from the competition by Olympique Lyon on Friday night.
Juventus failed to make it into the last eight of the competition as Lyon advanced via the away-goals rule following a 2-1 defeat, having won the first leg 1-0 in France.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice on the night but Memphis Depay’s first half penalty proved crucial as Juventus’ wait for a Champions League title stretched into a 24th season. Juventus have also lost two Champions League finals since 2015.
Sarri was satisfied with the performance of his boys throughout the competition after the game, but the former Napoli and Chelsea boss feels the manner of his team’s elimination shows they are under a ‘curse’.
"We are out of a competition where we won six out of eight games we played, we drew one and lost one. That means that in eight matches we got 19 points," he told a news conference.
"If there were a Champions League table we would be first or second. Instead, we are out. That's why I feel incredibly sad. It makes me understand that in this competition Juventus are cursed.
"If I weren't so bitter, I would get out of this match with a smile on my face, because I saw the lads in good shape again, they gave all they had, they fought until the end, they put their heart and soul into the match. I appreciated it."
