"?Massimiliano Allegri has called on Juventus' supporters to stop jeering Hernanes - and back the much maligned midfielder instead.
The Juventus boss believes "?the criticism aimed at the Brazil international has gone on for far too long, and called for an end to boos and whistles, according to a report in "?Goal.
Hernanes joined the Turin-based side from Italian rivals Inter Milan for £11m in August 2015, however, the 31-year-old has struggled to hold down a regular starting position under Allegri.
Hernanes made just 24 appearances in all competitions during his maiden campaign with the Bianconeri.
And, with just two late cameos to show for his effort so far this term, the former Sao Paulo star appears to have fallen further down the pecking order.
Allegri asks Juventus fans to lay off Hernanes https://t.co/W74OR2XJdC pic.twitter.com/tEH2NWiRsL
Allegri, though, insists he is merely protecting Hernanes against the unjust hostility from Juventus fans, and wants his side's supporters to back the playmaker instead.
He said: "I see that at the stadium when we play at home, every now and then he gets a bit of whistling.
"I think we need some respect for Hernanes, because he was very important last year.
"Let's not forget when we won in Manchester [against City], he helped against Bayern Munich at home when [Claudio] Marchisio went off at the end of the first half.
"In football everyone can make mistakes, Hernanes is an important player for Juventus and must remain so because [Stefano] Sturaro is returning now but he's still a bit short of top condition.
"Marchisio isn't ready yet and will be missing for a little while yet, and every player in this squad has to feel part of this project, or rather this season because there are no projects, in football you just have to win game by game.
"I think Hernanes should be helped because at home that doesn't happen because - with all the respect I have for the fans - I put him on the pitch and he just gets whistled.
"He's a player who contributed last year like everyone else did."
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