Pirlo defends Dybala´s attitude after Juventus draw

Andrea Pirlo backed Paulo Dybala, defending the playmaker’s attitude after Juventus were held by Lazio.

Dybala came off the bench as Juve were pegged back late in a 1-1 Serie A draw at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.

Cristiano Ronaldo had put Pirlo’s men ahead, but Felipe Caicedo scored a 95th-minute equaliser after a tremendous run by Joaquin Correa.

Pirlo said he had no complaints about Dybala’s attitude, with the forward ruled out of Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

“I think his attitude is not wrong. He was willing to do well and wanted to help the team,” the Juve head coach told a news conference.

“Sometimes it happens not to be in the best physical condition as he is now.

“He needs to work and play, we just need to manage these situations in the final moments of the games if we want to clinch the victory.”

FT |  | Full-time at the Olimpico. #LazioJuve #FinoAllaFine #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/QsWgI1Mx1Q

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) November 8, 2020

Juve sit fifth in the Serie A table, four points adrift of leaders Milan.

They were on track for victory before Caicedo’s goal, and since last season, the Ecuadorian has scored five goals from the 90th minute in Serie A – the most of any player.

“When you concede one goal it is not because of the individual but the whole team. We win and lose as a team,” Pirlo said.

“We must manage these situations in a better way, being hungry to achieve the result until the very last second.”

Juve return to action at home to Cagliari on November 21.