MY ACCOUNT
Andrea Agnelli was “ashamed” of Juventus’ performance in their shock defeat to Maccabi Haifa, but Massimiliano Allegri still has the club’s backing.
Juve slipped to a 2-0 defeat in Israel on Tuesday, leaving their chances of progressing from Champions League Group H hanging by a thread.
Maccabi’s win ended a run of nine consecutive Champions League defeats and was just their third triumph in the competition, with the other two coming in the 2002-03 season.
Juve, meanwhile, have lost four of their last six group games in the competition, as many defeats as they had suffered in their previous 34 matches. This was the first time they have lost three of their first four group games in a single campaign.
But Allegri retains the support of Agnelli, who insisted the coach cannot be blamed for Juve’s issues.
“This is a difficult night in a difficult period. It is one of the most difficult periods and the moment to take responsibility, which is why I am here,” said Agnelli to Sky Sport after the match.
“In a situation like this, it’s not about one person. It’s a matter to be dealt with by a whole group. We feel ashamed, we apologise to our fans, because we know they must feel ashamed to walk around at the moment.
“Allegri is the coach of Juventus, and he will remain as the coach of Juventus.”
Asked if Allegri was keeping his role just because of the financial implications of sacking him, Agnelli replied: “No, you are completely off track.
“It cannot be the fault of the coach if we don’t win a single tackle on the field.
“Juventus have always evaluated situations at the end of the year. I always struggled to consider a dismissal during a season, and I continue to believe that.”
Having taken 13 points from their opening nine Serie A matches, Juve are 10 adrift of pacesetters Napoli, while the Bianconeri have won just two of their nine games in all competitions since the start of September.
