Luciano Spalletti spoke about Juventus’ results, his conversations with the players and his responsibility for getting the team out of its crisis ahead of the Europa League match against Rennes. The coach confirmed that Randal Kolo Muani and Nick Woltemade will start the match together.
“Both the players and I must show a reaction”
Spalletti stressed that Juventus have not achieved the desired results and that the response must come on the pitch.
“Those of us who work in this profession are guided by results, and I have learned to remain balanced and clear-headed even when they fluctuate. Victories make everyone extremely happy, but at the moment we are falling behind and have not achieved the results we wanted. We must dig even deeper, and the first thing we need to show on the pitch is a reaction, both the players and I.”
“I feel that the team is behind me”
The Juventus coach explained that he allowed the players to speak during the latest team meeting. Their messages strengthened his belief that they are ready to work together to find a way out of their difficulties.
“I feel that the team is behind me. At the last meeting, I let the players say what they thought, and I was encouraged by the seriousness and honesty of their views, as well as their willingness to find new solutions so that we can return to our best level.”
“It all depends on me; I choose the lineup and the tactics”
Spalletti took responsibility for his decisions while also highlighting the need for Juventus to respond better to unexpected situations during matches.
“It all depends on me, because I choose the lineup, the way we set up on the pitch and the tactics. Sometimes, however, a match takes a different course from the one we had imagined, and we need to manage certain situations better.”
Ahead of the upcoming match, he called for greater thoughtfulness and collective effort.
“For tomorrow, I want the team to think more, be less impulsive and less individualistic. We must be more of a team, more united as a whole and more connected.”
Kolo Muani and Woltemade to start together
The coach confirmed his decision to field the attacking duo and stressed that the team must approach the match with determination.
“The key is to do what we do with conviction and give everything we have. Kolo Muani and Woltemade will be in the starting lineup.”
“Rennes will be an important test for us”
Spalletti warned about the French side’s physical strength and the quality of their attack.
“Rennes are a physically strong team that likes open football and have important players such as Esteban Lepaul. They are having a good season, sit just one point behind the league leaders, and this will be an important test for us.”
Source: Juventus.com, press conference ahead of Juventus vs. Rennes
