(Football news) Maccabi Haifa in their first UCL group stage appearance since 2009 has managed to shock the world. The Israeli club defeated Juventus 2-0 to get their first points on the table in the group of death. The two clubs are now level on 3 points with 2 games left to play. The result works really well for both PSG and Benfica who after back to back draws sit on 8 points. The result puts a massive amount of pressure on Juventus who have been underperforming as a club since the past 3 seasons. The Bianconeri's chances of qualifying for the Round of 16 are very bleak as they not only have to defeat Benfica at home and PSG away but they also have to hope that PSG lose to Maccabi Haifa.
From minute 1 Haifa were threatening Juventus as they tested Wojciech Szczrsny early on. In the 7th minute the Israeli side opened the scoring via Omer Atzili and Juventus were handed a big blow in the 24th minute as Angel Di Maria had to come off with an injury. Juventus just didn't look up for the challenge and the hosts took advantage of it. Atzili scored his 2nd 3 minutes before halftime leaving Juventus distraught. In the 2nd half Juventus did have a couple of good chances but the home side held on to get their first UCL group stage win in 20 years. Haifa were the better team on the pitch and they deserved to win the match.
Manager Massimiliano Allegri will be under massive pressure but his job is not in danger as of now. After the defeat Juventus president Andrea Agnelli said “Massimiliano Allegri is our head coach and he will stay”. He also added “I feel ashamed and angry… so in this kind of situation you can’t blame one single person, it’s the whole group”. Allegri himself came out and said “I’m not gonna step down, absolutely because it’s a challenge now. When it gets harder, it’s even more beautiful”. It won't stay like this forever and the results will have to improve. The immediate target has to be a Europa League spot and a good run in the Serie A. The Turin club play against City rivals Torino in the next match which will be a must win game for them.
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