Luciano Spalletti sets the record straight on Kolo Muani: “You only liked that one”

After a winning—albeit not entirely convincing—season opener on the road against Frosinone, Luciano Spalletti’s Juventus is ready to make its home debut. The Bianconeri will host Parma at Juventus Stadium on Matchday 2, aiming to build on the three points earned in their opener and deliver a more convincing performance.

Spalletti provided an update on the team’s condition, announcing several absences: “Yildiz is out, and McKennie won’t be available either due to fatigue. We’ll also have to assess Thuram tomorrow.”

Among the players under observation is Lucumí, who could start the match. “Lucumí could start; his integration is going very well. We’re in no rush, but I’m evaluating the situation carefully. We’re happy with what he’s bringing to the team, and we’re discovering many other qualities, especially his personal ones,” explained the Bianconeri coach.

Spalletti then clarified his thoughts on Kolo Muani, who found himself in the spotlight following some of the coach’s recent comments. “I made a list of all the statements I’ve made about Kolo: of all the nice things I’ve said to him, that’s the only one you liked…”

The coach then reaffirmed his confidence in the forward: “We spent a lot on him, and we want to put him in a position where he can repay all the trust we’ve placed in him. We’re talking about a player who’s excellent at moving into the ball, and even when he’s sprinting, he’s smooth with his feet and knows how to link up with the team; he can play as an attacking midfielder or a winger. I just said he needs to be mindful of the fact that he hasn’t played very much.”