Marcelino: 'Juve at top level now'

By Football Italia staff

Valencia Coach Marcelino maintains Juventus “are at the same level as Real Madrid and Barcelona,” but VAR is needed after that Manchester United winner.

The combination of this 1-0 defeat to Juventus and a last-gasp Manchester United victory over Young Boys means Valencia are heading to the Europa League in 2019.

“We are sad at the way things went and of being out of the Champions League, but also proud to have been here in the group phase,” said the Coach in his Press conference.

“Juventus pushed a lot harder at the start of the second half, they have an extraordinary player like Cristiano Ronaldo and he created the goal.

“My team gave its all and proved it was competitive against one of the favourites to win the Champions League. I am proud of the performance.

“Of course, we can always do better. We deserved to win in Manchester, played the second half badly in Switzerland, but for the rest we did well. That is football, scoring a goal in stoppages and picking up six points the way Manchester United did.”

There was some controversy at Old Trafford, as Marouane Fellaini scored the winner only after handling the ball.

“They did tell me. That’s football. Clearly, the Champions League needs to introduce VAR as well, because it’s necessary in such a big competition, the most important club tournament in the world.

“Juventus reached the Final twice in recent years, but are now more experienced and have Cristiano Ronaldo. They are at the same level as Real Madrid and Barcelona. In terms of experience, physique and technical quality, they have everything it takes to compete with any team in Europe.”

Watch Serie A live in the UK on Premier Sports for just £9.99 per month including live LaLiga, Eredivisie, Scottish Cup Football and more. Visit: https://www.premiersports.com/subscribenow