Juventus must channel ‘bitterness’ of missing out on Champions League
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri said on Saturday that they are very disappointed not to be playing in European competition this season, adding that he hoped to harness that bitterness and turn it into fuel for a successful domestic campaign.
Juve finished seventh in Serie A last term due to a 10-points deduction for alleged false accounting practices and qualified for UEFA’s third-tier Conference League.
They were then banned from UEFA competition in 2023-24 for breaching licensing and Financial Fair Play rules, meaning they will miss out on Europe for the first time in 12 years.
“We are very disappointed not to be able to play in the European cups, and the Champions League in particular. It’s never nice not participating, also because we had achieved our qualification on the field,” Allegri told reporters ahead of Sunday’s Serie A season-opener at Udinese.
“We will have to transform the bitterness into positive energy and anger to give everything in the league and in the Italian Cup.
“Technically, not having the commitment in the middle of the week will allow us to have more days to work on the pitch and to prepare for the matches that await us. We must do our best to qualify for it and play in the Champions League next season.”
