Juventus head coach Thiago Motta blamed their inability to control their Champions League play-off second stage for the reason they were eliminated by PSV.
The old lady was aggregated 3-2 and lost 3-1 after extra time in Eindhoven on Wednesday, which was the first time that they ever lost a knockout in the competition after winning the first stage.
“We were struggling in the second half, at such an important moment were made equal and we were unable to hold on,” Thiago Motta told Sky Sport Italia.
“It was under control in the first half, it is true that they pushed harder while we hit the woodwork. We knew that PSV was a quality side that push and attack, but we suffered a lot here.
“We cannot be happy with the two goals that we have admitted, especially with predictable game changes and Bakayoko were allowed to control the ball in our area. We have to do much better if we want to compete at this level.
“Sometimes we were in the game, with others they were superior. We knew that PSV would attack, but we were unable to do the things we needed during the game. “
For PSV, the victory was now the first time that they have been claimed by a Knockout-equal game from Champions League since the beating of Arsenal in the 2006-07 season.
Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli was not as diplomatic as his coach and told Amazon Prime Video Italia that she 'thrown away qualification', although Motta did not agree.
“It is true that they pushed harder and were superior, but we also had a big chance with Dusan Vlahovic who hit the woodwork and it was an open game,” Motta said.
“We didn't throw anything away. We tried until the end, but in the end we were not stronger over the entire game, so PSV earned it to continue. “
1 – Italy will only have one club in the last 16 in a Champions League season for the third time, after 2014/15 (Juventus) and 2013/14 (AC Milan). Difficulty. #Psvjuve #psvjuv #ucl
– OPTAPAOLO (@Optapaolo) February 19, 2025
Locatelli, however, gave an emotional interview after the game when trying to dissect their performance.
“It hurts so much because we had it in our hands and threw away a qualification. We are all responsible, “he said.
“Now we have to come together and come from this moment, but it hurts a lot. At the moment I have no explanation. They played better than we did. They wanted it more. The field always speaks, the rest is just talked.
“The field said they deserved to win. We have to look each other in the eyes and understand what went wrong.
“I don't think there is much to say now. Those who have been here for a long time must take responsibility. Only together, through hard work and determination, we can get through moments like this. It hurts, but we have to give ourselves all. '
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