Stephan Lichtsteiner has defended Juventus' conservative tactics following their 3-0 win over Celtic in their UEFA Champions League last-16, first leg on Wednesday.
------------------------------------------------------------
Predict result and win big with Soccer6
------------------------------------------------------------
Bhoys boss Neil Lennon was furious with referee Alberto Mallenco after the match, claiming he was biased towards the Italians and overlooked numerous fouls in the penalty area.
"I thought he was poor. I thought he was very pro-Juventus. I was disappointed with his performance to say the least," Lennon told Sky Sports.
"They were being fouled at every occasion. The referee is looking at it. They were putting their arms around players, blocking their runs, trying to pull them down...
"The game must be different in Spain and in Italy from what it is in Britain because you cannot do that in the penalty box because it is a penalty."
But Lichtsteiner insists tight marking on set pieces is part of the game and feels that the Scottish club's players were more at fault for trying to impede goalkeeper Gianlugi Buffon.
"It's normal. I think it is part of football that they play the corners and the free-kicks, and of course they score more than 40 per cent of their goals in the Champions League from free-kicks, and they look to block the goalkeeper," the 29-year-old said.
"It was my role today to keep him away from Buffon."
The Switzerland international was booked for holding Gary Hooper in the box, but does not feel the Glasgow ginats deserved a spot-kick just because Juve defended in a more physical manner.
"A penalty for what. It is more a foul from him than for me because if you attack the goalkeeper it is a goal," declared Lichtsteiner.
The second leg of the tie will take place in three weeks time at the Juventus Stadium in Turin.
Post A Comment!
Be the first to post a comment on this story