Juventus coach Antonio Conte is adamant that his side deserved to qualify for the Europa League final following their exit against Benfica.
The Bianconeri lost 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-final, and could only draw 0-0 in the home leg on Thursday evening. However the tactician was less than impressed with the referee and the Portuguese side’s time wasting.
“What didn’t work was that we didn’t get that incident going our way,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “It’s a shame, as these games are right on the limit, Benfica obstructed us at every turn and the referee allowed them to do it.
“He gave six minutes of stoppages when we were already three in without playing, so it took us for a ride.
“It’s a shame, as with two shots on target over two legs Benfica went through. Over the two games Juventus certainly deserved to go through.
“I think Juventus gave all they had. It is an exciting, but also very exhausting season, because for the first time we’ve reached the final stages of European competition.
“I don’t think we saw a team struggling to stay on its feet tonight. They ran from the first to the 95th minute. It was a strong performance, we didn’t get the lucky moment we needed to change the game, so in that sense Benfica were more fortunate.
“It was a real pity, as in the first leg there was a red card and penalty for the elbow on Chiellini, while tonight there was an obvious penalty not given. The team that least deserved it went through.
“You just have to look at the statistics. Benfica had two shots on target over two legs. That was it.
“They have international experience and showed it tonight, as down to 10 men they stopped us playing and I am truly disappointed the referee allowed them to get away with that.”
