(Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Francisco Conceicao has moved to clarify his reaction after being substituted during Juventus’ Europa League match against Celta Vigo, insisting that he did not argue with anyone on the bench.
The Portugal international is Juventus’ first choice on the right wing and started the match, but he endured another frustrating outing as he struggled to find the back of the net. Despite seeing plenty of the ball, he could not find enough space to make the desired impact and help his team secure a convincing result.
The manager eventually decided to substitute Conceicao and make other changes in an attempt to win the match. Those decisions proved effective, as Randal Kolo Muani scored a late winner to secure Juventus another European victory.
Juventus benefit from late substitutions
The result will please Juventus, who have now won back-to-back matches in Europe. However, Conceicao’s reaction to being taken off attracted attention, with some fans and coaches expressing disappointment at what appeared to be frustration with the manager’s decision.
Football is a team game, and players must understand that the collective result comes before individual preferences. Substitutions are often necessary to change a match, and players are expected to accept those decisions when the manager believes another option could improve the team’s chances of winning.
Conceicao has now addressed the incident, explaining that his actions were not directed at any member of the coaching staff. He also described what happened after he left the pitch, seeking to put an end to speculation about a possible disagreement.
(Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
Conceicao explains what happened
Speaking via Football Italia, the Juventus winger insisted that he had not argued with anyone and wanted to correct any inaccurate accounts of the incident.
“I want to clarify that I did not argue with anyone.
“I went off, I hit the area of the bench where I sit down, but I did not have any dialogue with a member of staff. I went into the dressing room to change my shirt, go to the bathroom, and came back out after a few minutes.
“I want that to be clear, because I don’t want any untrue things to be said.”
Conceicao acknowledged that he struck the area around his seat but denied having any confrontation with a member of staff.
Juventus will now hope to build on their latest European win, while Conceicao will look to improve his performances and make a greater contribution in the matches ahead.