[ad_1]
It has been difficult for the Argentine attacker to start this campaign and will take advantage of the next international break to rest
Andrea Pirlo backed Paulo Dybala, defending the playmaker’s attitude after Juventus was controlled by Lazio.
Dybala came off the bench when Juve came back at the end of a 1-1 draw in Serie A at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.
Cristiano Ronaldo had overtaken Pirlo’s men, but Felipe Caicedo scored the equalizer in the 95th minute after a tremendous run by Joaquín Correa.
Pirlo said he had no complaints about Dybala’s attitude, as the forward was recently ruled out for Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
“I think his attitude is not bad. He was willing to do well and wanted to help the team,” said the Juve coach at a press conference.
“Sometimes it happens that he is not in the best physical condition as he is now. He needs to work and play, we only have to handle these situations in the final moments of the games if we want to ensure victory.”
Juve are fifth in the Serie A standings, four points behind leaders AC Milan, which saved a 2-2 draw with Hellas Verona on Sunday.
Pirlo’s men were on their way to victory before Caicedo’s goal, and since last season, the Ecuadorian has scored five goals since the 90th minute in Serie A, the most of any player.
“When you concede a goal it is not for the individual but for the whole team. We win and we lose as a team,” Pirlo said.
“We must better manage these situations, being hungry to get the result until the last second.”
Juve return to action at home to Cagliari on November 21 before hosting Ferencvaros in the Champions League a few days later.
Pirlo will look forward to calling Cristiano Ronaldo back when they return to action with the coach confirming that his Portuguese star suffered an ankle injury against Lazio.
“Ronaldo is a key player not only for us but for all the teams he has played for. Unfortunately, he had an ankle problem and was forced to leave the field,” Pirlo said. DAZN.
“Today [Federico] Chiesa couldn’t play [Giorgio] Chiellini is injured and Alex Sandro and [Matthijs] De Ligt is out, but we can’t use this as an excuse. “
