Emre Can has said he is “shocked and furious” after being left out of Juventus’s Champions League squad. The midfielder found out there was no place for him in Maurizio Sarri’s list of 22 players while on duty with Germany this week and will seek urgent talks with the club when he returns to Turin next week.
The 25-year-old, who joined Juventus from Liverpool on a free in the summer of 2018, said: “The fact that I am not in the Champions League squad is extremely shocking for me, mainly because I was promised something different last week. There were talks with other clubs [before the transfer window closed] and one of the conditions for me to stay was to be part of the Champions League squad.”
Can made 37 appearances and scored four goals for Juventus last season under Massimiliano Allegri, whom Sarri replaced in the summer. The player was also angered by the way the club’s decision was relayed to him.
“On Tuesday they phoned me and told me, in a conversation that didn’t even last a minute, that I was not on the list and they didn’t give an explanation. That does make me angry and furious because I think that I played well last season, above all in the Champions League. I really can’t understand this and will now see what I decide to do from here and I will seek talks with the club next week.”
Later in the day the midfielder, however, released a statement saying how much he enjoys playing for the club and thanked them for their support. “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,” he said. “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.”
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.
— Emre Can (@emrecan_) September 4, 2019
Yours,
Emre
Mario Mandzukic was also left out of the squad together with the defender Giorgio Chiellini, who is injured. Juventus face Atlético Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and Lokomotiv Moscow in their group.