14 March 2017
"Our aim was to be among Europe's top eight sides," declared Massimiliano Allegri after the second leg against Porto. While Juventus have secured that target, rather than savouring the win, the coach was more focused on where his side can improve ahead of their upcoming tie in the next round.
"We must show the desire to improve the way we play, which is where we were found wanting tonight," explained Allegri. "We'll face big teams and will require different performances. We played intelligently in the first half and the lads did well, whereas in the second period - playing 11 against 10 - we didn't move the ball quickly enough and we defended badly.
"We just had to choose an option and do it well. Either you attack or you manage the game, slow the tempo and conserve energy. Yet we did neither one nor the other. The more you try and force it, the less your football comes off."
Allegri then justified his decision to replace Juan Cuadrado with Marko Pjaca in the second half.
"[The Colombian] was booked so I preferred to take him off to avoid risks. Pjaca is a young man who needs to quickly realise that while the attacking side of the game is important, so too is the ability to work hard for the team.
"Once he realises that you need to work hard in football, he'll be able to showcase all of his ability. [Mario] Mandzukic is an example of that."
Juve will learn their fate in Friday's draw in Nyon: "Now we must have the ability to make it to the final, so we'll show heart and desire against whoever we face."
