This archive report was first published on 8 August 2020.
Published on August 8, 2020, by Reuters
Despite a 2-1 win over Olympique Lyonnais, Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri's team was knocked out of the Champions League after a 2-2 aggregate draw.
Speaking after the match, Sarri expressed his devastation over the team's exit, but emphasized that he didn't believe he would be judged solely on one match.
'If I wasn't devastated by not qualifying, I'd be happy with the performance,' Sarri said.
He pointed out that his side had dropped only two points in the group stage and were unbeaten in the competition until their 1-0 first leg defeat to Lyon in March.
'This competition doesn't take any prisoners,' he said. 'If it was a normal ranking, we would be first or second after six wins, a draw and a defeat.'
Sarri also acknowledged the unusual circumstances of the season, which was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
'We've had several months where we haven't done anything logical,' he said. 'We've been locked indoors, quarantined, individual training, then collective training, then 14 games in 48 days.'
