Andrea Pirlo vows that Juventus WILL be back next season after Inter Milan clinch the Serie A title… while the Old Lady now desperately battle for a Champions League spot this season
Andrea Pirlo insists his Juventus side will return firing next season after Inter clinched the Serie A title for the first time since 2010.
Atalanta failing to beat Saussuolo on Sunday means Antonio Conte‘s side have an irretrievable lead at the top of Serie A with four games to go and results in Juventus surrendering their nine-year dominance of the Scudetto.
But speaking after Juve grabbed a late win at Udinese courtesy of a Cristiano Ronaldo double on Sunday, Pirlo said that ‘another cycle will open to complete the Scudetto’ as he reflected on Juve’s bitter rivals taking their throne this season.
Andrea Pirlo’s Juventus surrendered their Serie A crown to Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan
Inter fans celebrate in Milan after ending Juve’s dominance of the Italian top-flight
‘We give our regards to Inter and to the coach, they deserve this success,’ Pirlo told Sky Sport Italia.
‘We need to change, one cycle has closed but another one will open to complete for the Scudetto. We laboured for this win and we’re proud, it was important after this afternoon’s results.
Things were tricky when we allowed the goal, but we desperately wanted to bring home the result at the end.’
‘There was a mental fatigue. Something changes when you are used to always playing for the Scudetto. For the last several weeks the objective has changed: it’s a struggle but we must achieve the Champions League.’
After their late win on Sunday, Juve are now two points clear of Napoli in fifth place as they strive to finish in the top four.
Cristiano Ronaldo rescued Juventus with two late goals to seal a 2-1 victory away to Udinese
As a result, Inter Milan are now 13 points clear in first place with four games remaining
‘The team was strong and together, it had a will to fight for its objectives,’ Pirlo added.
‘Often the mentality and attitude were missing, but the team was united to make the Champions League. The hug at the end is the most important thing, this needs to be a starting point.
‘We need to continue with this spirit, wins like this give you adrenaline to continue to fight.’