Serie A champions Juventus were extraordinarily knocked out of the 2019/2020 UEFA Champions League campaign despite winning 2-1 at home to Lyon on Friday. The Bianconeri's charge for the European title was dealt a massive blow by the away-goal rule following their 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture.
For the umpteenth time this season, the Old Lady fell on the shoulders of posterboy Cristiano Ronaldo when it mattered most. This time, however, the forward could not save Sarri's sinking ship nor himself from failing to play in the Champions League quarter-final for the first time in 10 years despite scoring twice.
Cristiano Ronaldo misses out on the UCL quarter-finals for the first time since 2009/10.#UCL pic.twitter.com/LBA7YEUqvy
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 7, 2020
Essentially, the outcome of the Round of 16 tie safeguarded the former Real Madrid superstar's record as the scorer of all Juventus' seven knockout goals since his arrival in 2018. In the grand scheme of things, the feat of the player simply hints at the defunct system deployed by Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri that has repeatedly come under scrutiny.
Reports that emerged from Italy prior to Friday's encounter with Lyon suggested that the Bianconeri boss could be shown the exit door should he fall short of the objective of progressing to the Last 8 stage of the Champions League. As anticipated, fans are now calling for his immediate sack following Juve's exit.
Below are a few reactions:
Despite winning the league, Maurizio Sarri has been close to a disaster at Juventus.
— EiF (@EiFSoccer) August 7, 2020
The football has been horrendous, Sarri Ball has become Allardyce Ball and they've been knocked out by an average Lyon side.
Sarri needs to go. pic.twitter.com/J03cWhY9FP
Sarri out, Juventus is the worst club in history! Cristiano go back to Real or go to PSG don't go to this worst club! Try pic.twitter.com/Ejh20Cjq7s
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@c_ronaldo7egend) August 7, 2020
I don't see Sarri escaping the sack. The #UCL was meant to be his lifeline but he lost to Lyon.
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) August 7, 2020
Sarri is not a coach
— ARINZECHUKWU (@AfamBuAgene) August 7, 2020
Sarri is not a coach
Sarri is not a coach
Sarri is not a coach
I wonder how Juventus season would have been without Cristiano Ronaldo and Dybala
Clueless pic.twitter.com/580peCjSmZ
Sarri trying to explain to Juventus board what went wrong tonight #JUVOL
— TÈMÍDAYÒ (@ourtemmyd1) August 7, 2020
Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/ctVPe31i25
Sack this Sarri guy after today
— #Josh. (@josh_gunner1) August 7, 2020
Sack Sarri and all his fellow smokers at juventus #JUVOL
— ManUtd CrownPrince (@Zakariyya777) August 7, 2020
Hope dey finally sack SARRI now
— Rich Smoke Shawty (@OmakwuJnr) August 7, 2020