Alex Sandro expects another ‘intense’ Europa League quarter-final against Sporting CP and reassures young teammate Nicolò Fagioli after he was reduced to tears by an error.
The first leg ended 1-0 for the Bianconeri and the decider is at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Thursday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
“It was a very intense game and I expect this to be a repeat of the same level,” said Alex Sandro in his press conference this evening.
They need to get back on track after back-to-back Serie A defeats, especially as the loss to Sassuolo proved particularly galling for one player.
Fagioli’s poor clearance accidentally set up Gregoire Defrel for the opening goal and the youngster burst into inconsolable tears the moment he was substituted.
“Every now and then it is good to cry and get it all out. We must respect his reaction and those of opponents too, whether we win or lose. Fagioli is young and already has experience, so it’s not right to say he is the future of Juventus, because he is the present of Juventus.”
It has been a difficult day for all Juve fans, because the three-hour hearing presented their appeal against the 15-point Serie A penalty to the Collegio di Garanzia.
A verdict won’t be announced until tomorrow, but it is increasingly likely that it will be revoked pending a new trial.
If confirmed, it would immediately catapult the Bianconeri to third place in Serie A on 59 points, between Lazio and Roma.
“Getting 15 points back would certainly be very important, but right now we only have to focus on tomorrow’s match and the Europa League,” added Alex Sandro.
“A win will help us grow as a team and continue our positive progress in every competition.”