We had 'a bad start', our loss to Lyon 'difficult to accept' - Juventus midfielder Pjanic

Miralem Pjanic (right) in action for Juventus against Lyon in their Champions League last-16 match. Juventus won Lyon 2-1 but fell out of the tournament following Lyon's 1-0 first leg lead advantage. Photo: JuventusFC

Miralem Pjanic concedes Lyon ‘really should’ve been within our grasp’ and Juventus need to ‘do much more’ in the Champions League.


Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace gave them a 2-1 win on the night, but that Memphis Depay penalty and the 1-0 first leg result in France saw Lyon go through on away goals.

“It’s hugely disappointing for us, as we really wanted to get through to the next phase and continue this competition,” Pjanic told Sky Sport Italia.

“It was a bad start with that penalty, but we stayed in the game and kept pushing throughout. It’s really disappointing and difficult to accept, certainly.

“We mustn’t diminish the achievement of winning the ninth Scudetto, but this club can and should aim much higher. I have no doubts this group will resume even stronger next season, as I know full well the mentality and strength within the side.

“Our first leg performance was not good enough and in the Champions League these ties are decided over two legs. We went out to a Lyon side that really should’ve been within our grasp.”

This was the final game for Pjanic in the Juventus jersey, as he is heading to Barcelona in exchange for Arthur Melo.

Now that he is leaving, what was his experience of this Juve project under Maurizio Sarri?

“The last few months haven’t gone the way we wanted to, for reasons I still haven’t been able to understand. I wanted to play more, that’s for sure,” said the Bosnian.

“Considering the way the coach played at Napoli, where everyone was involved and fully committed to that project. We played a different type of football, I am not the only one to say that, it’s obvious. It takes time to develop that.

“Winning is not simple. We made it look simple in recent years, but it’s becoming a fight with many other teams. This club must continue to do extraordinary things, and much more in Europe.

“This club will aim to win. We have a great squad, but in order to go all the way, we need everyone at our disposal and that hasn’t been the case often enough due to various injuries.”