Spalletti: ‘Anyone who thinks I’ll back down is mistaken’
Luciano Spalletti spoke ahead of Juventus’ match against Napoli about the team’s poor run of results, the reaction he expects from his players, and the decision to gather the squad in a training retreat. The Bianconeri coach praised Giovanni Carnevali’s message to the dressing room and stressed that he needs an answer on the pitch.
⚽️ ‘There is only one way to win’
Juventus celebrate their anniversary on November 1, and Spalletti explained what he wants his team to give the fans.
“I hope to see a team that delivers what the fans deserve. There is only one way to win: you have to want it more than your opponent. Any other approach leads to defeat.”
⚽️ Zhegrova and Boga as options to change the rhythm
Speaking about adding more unpredictability to the attack, Spalletti highlighted the need for balance and contributions from both sides of the pitch.
“We need balance in our movement. We are preparing for an extremely difficult match. Zhegrova and Boga? Even if they don’t start the game, they will come on during the match. We have to find ways to create chances from both sides of the pitch.”
⚽️ ‘Muscles can give way, but the mind must not’
Massimiliano Allegri described Juventus as a wounded and angry team. Responding to those words, Spalletti spoke about their friendship, but also about the resilience he expects from his players.
“I would like Max to be close to me. He is a great friend. We have to approach the match with determination and do something differently from the previous game, especially at the beginning. We need unbreakable mental strength. Muscles can give way, but the mind must never surrender.”
⚽️ ‘We want to get Juventus back on the right track’
Asked what he has taken from his experience with the Bianconeri so far, the coach did not hide his dissatisfaction with the current situation.
“I take everything from this experience, even though we are not happy with where we are at the moment. We want to get Juventus back on the right track and earn back the respect that many have denied us. We have to achieve that through mental strength and belief in what we are doing.”
⚽️ Locatelli and McKennie as key figures on the pitch
Spalletti singled out the two midfielders when speaking about the players who understand his ideas and can put them into practice on the pitch.
“Locatelli is someone who executes the coach’s ideas flawlessly. McKennie is also very similar to me in the way he sees and understands football. In that respect, we are in a good position.”
⚽️ ‘Everything gets much more attention at Juventus’
The Bianconeri coach stressed that he has faced similar challenges throughout his career, with the difference being the level of attention that comes with Juventus.
“I have been through situations like this before in my career. Here, everything gets much more attention because Juventus have eight million fans. However, this situation is nothing new to me.”
⚽️ The training retreat as a chance for the team to reconnect
The squad’s time together is intended to help the players strengthen their relationships and find an answer to their current problems.
“When things are not going well, a training retreat is a useful way to keep everyone together. The players care about one another. It is an opportunity to rediscover that quiet authority within the group and make sure people start talking about us again for the right reasons.”
⚽️ ‘Carnevali said exactly the right things’
Spalletti supported the way Giovanni Carnevali addressed the team after the defeat to Genoa.
“He was perfect. He said exactly what needed to be said and made sure that everyone involved understood the message perfectly clearly.”
⚽️ Something has to change after Genoa
The Juventus coach is aware that his team must respond differently to the demands of the match.
“When something isn’t working, you have to change something, maybe even run more. In football, the solution is always closely connected to the problem.”
‘I don’t need protection, I need a reaction’
Speaking about the club’s trust in him, Spalletti made it clear that he only asks his players for what he believes they are capable of delivering.
“I don’t need protection. I need a reaction from the team. I only ask the players for what I know they are capable of. If anyone thinks I’m going to take a step back in my work, they are mistaken.”
