Andrea Pirlo defends Juventus position after Porto defeat by claiming to be at ‘beginning of project’

The Italian suffered a Champions League last 16 exit, which ultimately proved costly for Maurizio Sarri last season

Andrea Pirlo insists this is just the beginning of the Juventus project (Getty)

Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo maintains his time at the club is just at the “beginning of this project” despite exiting the Champions League at the last-16 stage on away goals against 10-man Porto on Tuesday.

Juventus won 3-2 after extra time on the night, but were knocked out of the competition at the same stage as last season after a 4-4 aggregate draw.

That result was fatal for Maurizio Sarri, who came unstuck against Lyon and was subsequently sacked after one season in charge in Turin.

He would at least bank a ninth successive scudetto for the Old Lady, while Pirlo is at major risk of failing to defend the title, with Inter Milan 10 points clear of them at the top of Serie A.

READ MORE: Poetic justice sees Juventus eliminated after Andrea Agnelli turns back on football logic

“I don’t know if Sarri was sacked for being eliminated from the Champions League,” Pirlo told Sky Sport Italia. “I am the Juventus manager at the moment and I will work for a larger project, which goes beyond this season.

“This season is only the beginning of this project. We have young players who are growing game after game. The young players have played with desire and self-denial. We cannot say anything to them, they have given their all.”

After falling behind in the first half to a Sergio Oliveira strike, a double from Federico Chiesa, either side of Taremi’s dismissal, seemed to set Juve on their way to victory, but they could not find a crucial third, leaving the sides all square after normal time.

Pirlo’s side continued to press in extra time, but one free-kick, through the wall, from Oliveira condemned Juve to their fate, despite Adrien Rabiot scoring a third for the Italian side soon after.

The blow leaves Juve just Serie A glory to play for - and they trail leaders Inter Milan by 10 points.

“I’m not happy to have to work with full weeks without European games, I preferred to go on in the Champions League,” Pirlo added.

“To forget this elimination will take a few days but then we will have to look forward and try to move up the (Serie A) rankings. We are still in March.”