Juventus boss Massimilano Allegri refuted claims that their season would be considered a failure if they fail to get past Atletico Madrid in the last-16 of the Champions League.
The Bianconeri have returned from Wanda Metropolitan with a 2-0 deficit and need a big result on Tuesday to send them through to the quarter-finals.
“Since I arrived, the Champions League has always been an objective, but if people say that it’s a failure if Juventus go out, that is not right,” said the coach in his press conference, according to Football Italia.
“The overall level in the Champions League has increased and on Tuesday we’ll do our best. If we go through, then that’s great, if not then we’ll try again next year.
“In every season we reached the knockout stages, so we’ll see what happens. I remember in my first season here we played against Malmo: there were people who were white as a sheet with fear.
“Even if I keep hearing otherwise, if Juventus go out, it won’t be a failure. I find that laughable. If we go through, fine, but if not then it’s just a football match and we’ll try again. We’ve in theory already won two trophies this season. That is not a failure.”
Allegri was referring to the Italian Super Cup win over AC Milan and the 16-point cushion they have at the top of the Serie A table.
