'I will never be on social media' - Sarri ignoring criticism as Juventus chase trophies

Dejan Kalinic

'I will never be on social media' - Sarri ignoring criticism as Juventus chase trophies image

Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri insisted he was unworried about criticism as his team continue to chase trophies this season.

Ahead of a trip to Sassuolo on Wednesday, Juve are six points clear at the top of Serie A with six games left to play, and also in the Champions League last 16.

Sarri, who has lost the Coppa Italia final and Supercoppa Italiana this season, has faced some criticism, but the Juventus coach is not bothered.

"Honestly, I don't pay much attention to criticism, I always try to be focused only on what I can do," he told a news conference.

"I don't know what people say on social media because I'm not on them and I will never be in my life.

"If we talk, instead, of people in the streets, I only receive support and affection."

Juventus are winless in their past two games and needed a pair of penalties from Cristiano Ronaldo to draw with Atalanta last time out.

Sarri was asked about his side's lack of goals from midfield, but he has no concerns about their firepower, although Ronaldo (seven) and Paulo Dybala (four) have netted the majority of their goals in the past six games.

"We scored 17 goals in the last six matches and I'm not concerned about our scoring ratio frankly," he said.

"We all know that among our midfielders [Aaron] Ramsey is the one that can potentially score more goals considering his individual characteristics.

"Then we have two players that are growing a lot and in the future, I'm sure they will score more like [Rodrigo] Bentancur and [Adrien] Rabiot."

Chiellini Juventus

Sarri also acknowledged that Giorgio Chiellini's absence through injury and fitness issues has been one of the "great regrets" this season.

Chiellini, 35, ruptured a knee ligament in August, ruling him out of action until February, when he made a couple of Serie A appearances before the league was suspended due to coronavirus.

The centre-back still has not featured since the resumption last month because of fitness-related issues, though he was given a new one-year contract to keep him at the club until 2021.

Sarri confirmed Chiellini has been in full training over the past week and is still considered an important player.

"Chiellini's absence is one of the great regrets of this season," said Sarri.

"He is a player who knows how to be enthralling. He has been training with the team for five days. I see him growing, and, in the future, he will give a great contribution for us."

Dejan Kalinic