Pirlo: Juventus need a completely different attitude

Juventus’ title challenge ended in an ignominious manner after a home loss to Benevento who have been facing relegation for most of this season. Inter Milan remain ten points ahead of the Bianconeri, but Juve’s game in hand is now gone.

Speaking after the game, coach Andrea Pirlo denied that the pressure of expectations is what did his side in on the day.

“There was no pressure, just the expectation to do better than this. Instead, it was a bad day in every respect, with our attitude, technical errors, everything. When you play like this, you can well lose.

“We were eager to win the game, but also knew it would be a difficult match, as Benevento are well-organised with two tight lines, so we had to be calm and spread them out.

“Instead, we were frenetic, made lots of mistakes and unfortunately were unable to get the result we wanted.”

Is Juventus’ attempt of making it ten consecutive Scudetti ended? A section of the fanbase certainly think so, and have been very vocal that Pirlo is to blame, and if not the coach then the recruitment under Fabio Paratici, and if not him then the chairman Andrea Agnelli.

“We must continue believing, continue our path so that we are up there. As I said yesterday, the objective does not change, but we do need a completely different attitude to this. We wear an important jersey and must honour it every time.”

Arthur has received some criticism for his play this season but was targeted especially today after his poorly hit pass was intercepted for the only goal of the game.

“The mistake was unlike him, I don’t think he saw the opponent as he was shielded by Bonucci. He should’ve passed it back to the goalkeeper, as a horizontal pass always has an element of danger to it.”

While fans have their own opinions of the work Pirlo has done so far, the coach himself refused to grade himself on a scale of 1-10.

“I don’t judge myself, there are already so many who judge me every day in the media, so I leave you to it.”