Pirlo not worried about job security despite Champions League exit

Andrea Pirlo isn’t fretting his position on the Juventus bench, despite the Italian side succumbing to another harrowing Champions League exit.

Juve were eliminated from the competition in the round of 16 for a second consecutive campaign, following up last season’s ouster at the hands of Lyon with another surprise setback, this time to FC Porto. Despite winning a chaotic match 3-2 in extra time Tuesday, Pirlo’s team was sent packing on the away goals rule after the tie finished level at four apiece.

Last year’s defeat against Lyon was cited as the main reason former manager Maurizio Sarri was replaced, but Pirlo doesn’t expect the same fate.

“I don’t know why Sarri was removed. I am the coach of Juventus, I was brought in for a more ample approach, a project that was always meant to develop over several years, so I am not concerned,” Pirlo told Sky Sport Italia after the match, as translated by ESPN.

“When you make four big errors over two legs in the Champions League round of 16, you can get eliminated,” he added.

Juventus, who haven’t gone beyond the quarterfinals of the competition since signing Cristiano Ronaldo, will now turn their attention to domestic football for the remainder of the season.

The club sits ten points back of Inter Milan for top spot in Serie A, albeit with a game in hand, and will take part in the Coppa Italia final against Atalanta.