Juventus great Alex del Piero says coach Max Allegri deserves praise for guiding the club through a difficult season.
A 1-1 draw at Sporting CP last night saw Juve reach the Europa League semifinals 2-1 on aggregate, while they now sit in third place on the Serie A table after an appeal against their 15 point penalty succeeded earlier in the day.
Del Piero said: "The start of the season was crazy, almost embarrassing due to paucity of play and personality. Then there was the story off the pitch that affected character and emotionally, Allegri and the players were good at joining together.
"It wasn't easy: Juventus always need to win and do well, they put themselves on the line and sorted everything out one step at a time. It's not to defend Allegri but without Chiesa and Pogba, and also Di Maria at the start, it cost a lot especially if you set the team on these players.
"The unity between the parties was seen tonight: if even when you play badly you know how to help, suffer, it means that the environment is positive, they want the result.
"They are aware of their own qualities and that they can do well and the samples are out. within a group that is doing well, there are individuals like Di Maria who can give something. Then there are good young players: Fagioli and Miretti confirm that they are good players, that they deserve praise."
