Juventus, problems in attack: Luciano Spalletti loses his temper

Luciano Spalletti lost his temper after his Juventus’ defeat in Naples. Booed by the crowd at the Maradona Stadium, of which he had become a genuine hero by winning the Scudetto in 2023, the Tuscan coach had to deal with the 2-1 rematch by the Bianconeri and also with some of his formation choices. One of which, in particular, ended up at the center of his attention after the match. Namely, that of having chosen the ’lightweight” attack in the absence of Dusan Vlahovic, deploying neither Jonathan David nor Lois Openda as starters. Indeed, the issue, from his point of view, was reversed in the eyes of the public’opinion within a matter of a handful of days.

Marco Enzo Venturini

“A week ago you asked me if it was not the case that Yildiz rested – Spalletti stressed in a press conference from Naples – So I replaced him, sending in Openda who is a player paid by Juventus 45-50 million. He also has to play and give more. He can offer us so much, but the team needs insights and flashes of beautiful play. So he too must improve his contribution”. Words that seem to confirm the conviction of the HCL coach, who does not seem intent on banking on the “natural reserves” of Vlahovic. Who, moreover, should constitute far more than alternatives in the Bianconeri chessboard.

Spalletti then dwelt on other tactical choices proposed to his Juventus precisely in such a delicate challenge as the one against Napoli. “We try to do different things, to know our chances better. Yildiz and Conceiçao are both very good at dribbling, Locatelli dropped a little bit’ too much losing his position in the middle of the field. So in the end we got a bit bogged down, not making the superiority in midfield count. Better the second half, but still remaining too scholastic. We have to grow up, and fast. Otherwise it is likely to become really difficult”.

Involved only in the end of the game, however, Edon Zhegrova. “He does not have any personal problems, however, he is back from a long stop. He has not trained this week due to various discomforts, and he needs time to return to a high pace. I want to use him more in Juventus, but he needs better condition”.