Andrea Pirlo thanked the Juventus players who demonstrated “professionalism and spirit of sacrifice” after returning from an early deficit in a 1-3 win over Lazio yesterday (Saturday), despite the coach’s opinion “we started playing 20 minutes late”.
This was indeed a bad start for Yuba. Joaquin Correa put the Eagles ahead in the 14th minute, and Adrian Ravio equalized before the half-time break (39). In the second half a pair of Albero Murata within three minutes (57, 60) scored three points for Pirlo.
“We started very badly, but there was a strong reaction from the whole team, even though we were missing a lot of players. We did not lower our heads, we increased the pace and that was the most important thing,” Pirlo said at the end of the game.
The coach explained the change in lineup: “We thought about the game on Tuesday (against Porto in the Champions League). There are players who barely trained like Quadrado and Arthur. We knew tonight was like a final, some had to play new roles and displayed great professionalism and spirit of sacrifice.”
“The most important thing is that we took the three points,” Pirlo added, “I really liked our reaction as a team, and that we did not accept the fact that we fell behind in such an important game, that’s the spirit I appreciate.”
On the goal the team conceded: “We started the game 20 minutes late. It could happen because some players came back from injuries, some in new roles, it’s hard to come back from behind against a team like Lazio playing together for years, and they had all week to prepare.”
On Murata, who won a great double: “Unfortunately, we have not had Murata with us recently due to physical issues and other issues. He has different qualities from the other strikers on the roster, and I can not wait for him to be one hundred percent fit.”
Ahead of the game against Porto in the eighth Champions League final, which Juventus reach 2: 1 behind from the first game: “I feel more tired than the players, so I also need rest. We need to find the right approach to this game, because the Champions League is a very important goal for us. “We must not disappoint on Tuesday.”