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    Juventus secures fourth place but Allegri urges for more ruthlessness

    Massimiliano Allegri urged Juventus to be more ruthless despite the Bianconeri reaching the Europa League quarter-finals with a 1-1 draw against Sporting CP.

    Juventus took a 1-0 lead in the second leg at the Estadio José Alvalade after Federico Gatti’s goal won them last week’s return leg at the Allianz Stadium.

    After learning before Thursday’s match that their 15-point deduction in Serie A for financial violations had been suspended, an early goal by Adrien Rabiot doubled Juventus’ lead in the match, and although Marcus Edwards pulled back for Sporting, the visitors held on to win. arrange a semi-final duel with Sevilla.

    Despite placing in the last four European competitions for the first time since 2017 for the first time since 2017, Allegri warned his players to be more reasonable going forward after he turned down several chances to win in the second half.

    “It was a good day as we reached the semi-finals,” the Juventus coach told Sky Sport Italia. “We suffered, we did good things in the second half at the beginning.

    “But we have to work better when it comes to our moments. We rushed the game in the penalty area, and more patience was required. We didn’t shoot much from outside the penalty area and we have to improve.

    “We knew it would be difficult, but we are bringing home a good result.”

    Standing between Allegri’s men and the final in Budapest on May 31 is Sevilla, whose six Europa League titles are twice the trophies of any other team in the tournament.

    Sevilla beat Manchester United 5-2 on aggregate to secure a place in the semi-finals, but Allegri says he had foreseen the outcome.

    “I expected Sevilla to be honest,” he said of his next European rivals. “It’s a tough team, they play well and they have good ball control.

    “They have won so many Europa Leagues so they definitely have an advantage. The signs of the last game (in Manchester) were in their favor, I had that feeling.”

    Rabiot’s close shot after nine minutes in Portugal gave Juventus a decisive two-goal lead and ended a strong midfield game that saw him lead the Bianconeri in passing in the final third (15) and contribute to the defense with three clearances and interception.

    Despite his impressive performance, Allegri still believes Rabiot has work to do on his game, saying “He has qualities but he can still improve.

    “Sometimes he comes close to the spot and doesn’t shoot. He needs to get better, but he has become important, extraordinary.”

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