Maurizio Sarri had regrets at Empoli’s “very harsh” defeat to Juventus, particularly the contentious opening goal.
The Tuscans had been unbeaten in eight rounds, an all-time club record in Serie A, but capitulated 2-0 at the Juventus Stadium.
Their tactician was irritated in stoppages and sent off for dissent.
Maurizio Sarri had regrets at Empoli’s “very harsh” defeat to Juventus, particularly the contentious opening goal.
The Tuscans had been unbeaten in eight rounds, an all-time club record in Serie A, but capitulated 2-0 at the Juventus Stadium.
Their tactician was irritated in stoppages and sent off for dissent.
“I was talking to my player, so the officials must’ve misunderstood me and thought I was aiming those words at them,” Coach Sarri told Sky Sport Italia.
He was furious at the opening goal, which was an indirect free kick from six yards awarded for a Daniele Rugani back-pass, though it seemed unintentional.
“It seems a clear situation and there’s nothing I need to add. You just need to see the edge of the boot he hit it with to know he was trying to put the ball out of play.
“I can understand the referee couldn’t see it from a distance, but what are the goal line officials doing there if not to rule on this sort of thing?
“Plus on the second goal there was a pretty evident foul on Barba. That was at the 93rd minute anyway, so wouldn’t have made much difference.
“It’s a shame, as the lads did everything to put in a great performance and had many scoring opportunities to equalise.
“Juve were running out of steam, yet we ended the game with 10 men due to injury and conceded after that. It’s a very harsh result indeed, so there are regrets after we played so well against a team that is running away with the title.
“I thought we had something more than Juventus in the second half. The result makes it look like we were crushed, but that was really not the case.
“If we had to lose, then 1-0 would’ve been more suitable, though we had the chances to equalise. I am happy with the performance and if there was any timidity it was only in the first 10-15 minutes.
“When we conceded the opening goal, we had been doing very well and giving Juventus problems.”
Sarri has been heavily linked with the Milan job, so what does his future hold?
“I have two more years on my contract with Empoli, so we will decide together. If the club guarantees me it can hold a large part of this squad, then I don’t see why I should leave.
“There are rumours? I can’t hear anything… I wouldn’t know what to comment, as I am not involved in this.”