Emre Can ‘shocked and angry’ after Juventus leave midfielder out of Champions League squad

Mario Mandzukic and captain Giorgio Chiellini were also omitted from Maurizio Sarri’s European squad

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Emre Can has revealed he is “shocked and angry” after Maurizio Sarri left the midfielder out of Juventus’ Champions League squad.

Can joined the Italian champions from Liverpool on a free transfer last summer, but has been omitted from the 25-man group along with striker Mario Manduzic and captain Giorgio Chiellini, who has been ruled out for up to six months after undergoing knee surgery.

The German midfielder played 37 times for Juventus last season, and admitted his omission came as a surprise.

“Last week, the club promised me something else,” the midfielder said at Germany‘s training camp ahead of Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland.

“Yesterday the coach called me and told me in less than a minute that I was not in the squad. I am shocked and angry.”

Juventus brought in both Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot on free transfers this summer to further bolster an already crowded midfield.

That has seen Can, who failed to truly establish himself as a first-choice pick in that area last year, slip down the pecking order, and the 25-year-old was linked with a move away from Turin.

Can wrote on Instagram to assure supporters he would continue to give his all for the club.

“I will always be grateful to Juventus Turin and how they supported and stood by me since I am part of the club, particularly during my time of illness,” Can said in a statement issued via the social media platform.

“Out of respect to Juventus and my team-mates, whose success has always been my first priority, I won’t say anything more and will continue fighting on the pitch.”

Juventus were drawn in Group D alongside Atletico Madrid, Lokomotiv Moscow and Can’s former club Bayer Leverkusen.