Allegri calls on Juve to be more ruthless despite closing the bottom four

Massimiliano Allegri has called on Juventus to become more ruthless despite the Bianconeri reaching the last four of the Europa League with a 1-1 draw at Sporting CP.

Juve took a slim 1-0 lead in the second leg at the Estadio Jose Alvalade after Federico Gatti's goal gave them victory in last week's reverse fixture at the Allianz Stadium.

After learning ahead of Thursday's game that their 15-point Serie A deduction for financial misconduct had been suspended, an early goal from Adrien Rabiot doubled Juve's lead in the tie, and although Marcus Edwards pulled back a goal for Sporting as the visitors held on to set up a semi-final clash with Sevilla.

Despite securing a place in the last four in Europe for the first time since 2017, Allegri has warned his players to be more clinical in the future after fending off a number of chances to kill the draw in the second half.

"It was a good day as we headed towards the semi-finals," the Juve coach told Sky Sport Italia. “We suffered, we did some good things in the second half at the start.

"But we have to do better in terms of our chances. We rushed the game into the box and it would have taken more patience. We didn't shoot much outside the box and we have to improve.

"We knew it would be difficult, but we brought home a good result."

Between Allegri's men and the final in Budapest on May 31 sits Sevilla, whose six Europa League titles are twice the trophy of any other team in the competition.

Sevilla beat Manchester United 5-2 on aggregate to seal their place in the semi-finals, but Allegri says he predicted such a result.

"I expected Sevilla to be honest," he said of his next European opponents. "They are a difficult team, they play well and are good with the ball.

"They have won so many Europa Leagues, so they definitely have an advantage. The signs from the last game [in Manchester] were in their favour, I had that feeling."

Rabiot's close-range strike after nine minutes in Portugal gave Juve a crucial two-goal lead and capped off a solid display in midfield, one that saw him lead the Bianconeri in assists in the final third (15) and contribute defensively with three clearances and an interception.

Despite his impressive display, Allegri still thinks Rabiot has parts of his game to work on, saying: "He has the qualities but he can still improve.

"Sometimes he approaches the area and does not shoot. He needs to improve but he has become important, extraordinary."