Alessandro Del Piero, the legendary Italian footballer, has voiced his desire for Juventus and AC Milan to avoid an early confrontation in the Champions League knockout playoff. Both Serie A giants have qualified for this stage, but recent defeats have raised concerns about their form.

Juventus suffered a 2-0 loss at home to Benfica, while Milan fell 2-1 to Dinamo Zagreb in away fixtures. These results have set the stage for a potentially challenging draw on Friday, where the two Italian clubs could be paired against each other.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Del Piero expressed his hope: “I’d prefer if they didn’t meet in the playoff. It would be better for Italian football if they faced opponents from different countries.”

Reflecting on Juventus’ performance, Del Piero noted, “The defeat is painful. Despite maintaining possession, they struggled to create opportunities. Benfica capitalized on this, eventually scoring a remarkable goal. There was effort, but the quality was lacking. Clearly, something is amiss.”

The former striker emphasized that the responsibility doesn’t lie solely with the coach. “The club must also provide support. It’s not just the manager’s fault. Juventus needs unity to find a way forward,” he stated.

As the draw approaches, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see if Del Piero’s wish for separate paths for Juventus and Milan in the Champions League will be granted.