Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri was left frustrated after his team failed to secure a Champions League last-16 spot following a 1-1 draw with Sporting Lisbon.
A win would have taken the Italian champions into the knockout phase but they struggled in Portugal and in the end were grateful for a point after Gonzalo Higuain’s 79th-minute equaliser.
Juve, who lost last season’s final to Real Madrid, are second in Group D with two matches remaining, three points behind leaders Barcelona, who drew 0-0 with Olympiacos.
Gonzalo Higuain scored the equaliser as Juventus drew 1-1 with Sporting Lisbon
Higuain salvaged a point for Juventus in Portugal after what was a sluggish performance
Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri was left frustrated with his team’s performance
‘It’s a shame – we’ve not managed to put it beyond doubt. It’s all still to play for, with another two tough games to go,’ Allegri said.
‘It was a poor first-half. Even after the goal there was no reaction from us – we didn’t spring back into life.
‘It was better after the interval. The changes around the 70th minute provided more dynamism as you’d expect, but even once we’d equalised we weren’t very slick in our play.
‘We had time to try and turn the game in our favour, but we didn’t do so.
‘There clearly needs to be an element of fear to bring out the best in us. We’ll take tonight’s result and we’ll think about approaching Benevento [on Sunday] with respect and focus on winning that game.’
Juventus took a point and remain three ahead of Sporting and three behind Barcelona
Bruno Cesar (centre) had opened the scoring for Sporting Lisbon during the first-half
Juventus trailed to Bruno Cesar’s 21st-minute goal at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, but came away with a point after Higuain’s finish.
They host Barcelona next on November 22, before rounding off their group campaign against Olympiacos in Greece on December 5.
Higuain, who scored twice in Juve’s 2-0 win at Milan last weekend, was their saviour again.
He told Mediaset Premium: ‘It was tough. Barcelona won here with an own goal, they started strong and it’s an important point. Now we need to recover and prepare for Sunday.
Bruno Cesar celebrates with Marcos Acuna after giving Sporting a 21st-minute lead
Allegri was annoyed that Juventus didn’t take control of the contest in the second-half
‘The important thing was not to lose against a great side, we still have a three-point advantage over them and hope to secure qualification in the next two rounds.
‘I always try my best to help the team. We picked up an important points in a difficult arena.’