Cassano: 'Juventus are like scum in two European Cups'

Italy Italian football legend Antonio Cassano criticized Juventus and coach Allegri for their defeat in the Europa League semi-finals.

"Juventus only had two counter-attacks and two chances from set pieces," Cassano said on May 19, referring to the second leg of the Europa League semi-final. "Juventus are always like that. They go to the Champions League and look like shit. Now they go to the Europa League and the same thing happens."

At Sevilla on May 18, Juventus took the lead in the 65th minute, but could not hold on to the advantage. The home team needed only six minutes to equalize. In the fifth minute of the first extra time, Erik Lamela headed the ball in to seal a 2-1 victory for Sevilla. The Spanish team advanced to the final with a 3-2 aggregate score.

Juventus (pink shirt) conceded a goal from Lamela's header in the match against Sevilla on the evening of May 18. Photo: Reuters — Juventus conceded a goal from Lamela's header (in white) in the match against Sevilla on the evening of May 18. Photo: *Reuters*

Regarding the reasons for Juventus' failure, Cassano believes that coach Allegri must take responsibility. He believes that every time Juventus loses, Allegri blames others and gives objective reasons. The Italian coach has not won any titles since returning to Juventus in 2021. "In the past two years, they have not played a single match properly," Cassano asserted.

On Sevilla, Cassano said reaching the Europa League final was a deserved result. The former striker praised the way Sevilla controlled the ball when things got tough. "It was a Spanish team's game," said Cassano. "From start to finish, there was only one team playing football, Sevilla."

Europa League semi-final second leg: Sevilla 2-1 Juventus.

During his first spell at Juventus from 2014 to 2019, Allegri won five Serie A titles, four Italian Cups, two Italian Super Cups and reached two Champions League finals. But he has had little success since returning in 2021. Last season, Juventus finished second in the Italian Super Cup and Italian Cup, fourth in Serie A and crashed out in the Champions League round of 16. This season, things have been even worse. Juventus crashed out in the Champions League group stage, the Europa League semi-finals and the Italian Cup semi-finals.

Allegri's team is currently second in Serie A 2022-23, with 69 points after 35 matches, eight points ahead of fifth-placed AC Milan. But the risk of being pushed out of the Top 4 still exists. Juventus is awaiting the results of the appeals court's financial fraud case. If found guilty, the club could be deducted at least nine points. In the first instance, they were deducted 15 points.

Juventus have been in financial trouble since 2020. Last summer, they had to sell De Ligt to Bayern and were unable to renew with Paulo Dybala, the top scorer of the 2021-2022 season.

Juventus still hold the record for 36 Serie A titles, 14 Italian Cups and nine Italian Super Cups. Internationally, they have won two European Cups/Champions Leagues, one Cup Winners' Cup, three UEFA Cups/Europa Leagues, two European Super Cups and two Intercontinental Cups.

Thanh Quy (according to Instagram, FI )

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