Juventus got their Europa League campaign off to an impressive start. After the defeat to Sassuolo, the Bianconeri responded with a convincing 5-0 win over NEC, and Luciano Spalletti made no secret of his satisfaction with his players' reaction.
The Juventus coach particularly praised the team's mentality and the way his side took advantage of the opponent's aggressive style, as well as individuals such as Nico González, Randal Kolo Muani and Kamil Grabara.
SPALLETTI: "I'M EXTREMELY PLEASED"
Above all, Spalletti was pleased with the way Juventus reacted after the previous defeat.
"I'm extremely pleased, precisely because the players went out onto the pitch with great clarity in their decisions. They turned the doubts that arise after a defeat like the previous one into good decisions."
The Bianconeri coach especially highlighted the quality of the solutions his team found during the match.
"They made the right decisions, and we also scored some beautiful goals."
"WE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THEIR AGGRESSIVENESS"
NEC tried to cause Juventus problems with a high press and intensity, but that very approach opened up space that the Bianconeri exploited successfully.
"We managed to take advantage of their intensity, their desire to play and their football philosophy. When a team comes at you so aggressively, you mustn't be afraid – you have to exploit what the opponent gives you, and we did that well."
Spalletti then explained in detail how Juventus's first goal came about.
"For the first goal, we drew them into pressing us by playing short and deep, and then we played a long ball and attacked the space."
Nico González received special praise.
"Nico González also controlled the ball very well, even though at first it perhaps looked like it had been played a little too hard."
"WE STAYED FOCUSED"
Spalletti did not want the 5-0 scoreline to create the impression that Juventus had an easy task.
"Tonight the players stayed focused. The intensity and aggressiveness with which they came onto the pitch were huge – they pressed us everywhere."
The Juventus coach warned how dangerous NEC could have been had they managed to impose their rhythm.
"With that kind of power, if they take control of the game, the situation can become dangerous."
SPALLETTI RECALLS BODØ/GLIMT
According to him, NEC's quality is much clearer when you analyze their previous European match than when you look only at the final 5-0 in Turin.
"Of course, it's easy to talk like this now after a 5-0 win, but if you look at the match they played against Bodø/Glimt, they really pressed them with incredible intensity."
NEC lost that match, but Spalletti believes the result did not fully reflect what happened on the pitch.
"In the end they lost 2-1, but Bodø/Glimt needed some unusual situations to beat them."
KOLO MUANI MUST USE HIS STRENGTH
Spalletti also spoke specifically about Randal Kolo Muani, who contributed to Juventus's big win off the bench.
"Kolo Muani has the ability to attack the space behind the defense, and that becomes especially effective when there is space like this."
However, the coach believes the French striker still has room to improve in physical duels.
"He also took a few hard knocks, and he has to learn how to use his body to withstand contact."
"He has to use his strength more, because he is strong and in very good physical shape."
AN INCREDIBLE DETAIL ABOUT KOLO MUANI
Spalletti then revealed a detail that perhaps best shows how much Kolo Muani wants to change his current situation.
The team gathering the previous evening was optional, but the Frenchman decided to come anyway.
"Last night, during the optional team gathering, he was the only one who had dinner and stayed the night there - completely alone."
Spalletti believes Kolo Muani is finding it very hard to accept that he has not yet given Juventus what he wanted to.
"It really weighs on him that he hasn't yet managed to make his contribution."
That is exactly why the goal against NEC could prove a very important moment for the French striker.
SPALLETTI PRAISES GRABARA
Kamil Grabara was another player the coach singled out. The Polish goalkeeper got the chance to start, and Spalletti was particularly pleased with his play with his feet. "I have to praise Grabara because he showed his quality with the ball at his feet."
NEC's high press put the Juventus goalkeeper under pressure, but it was precisely his decision-making that allowed the Bianconeri to find free space.
"They press the goalkeeper because that's their way of playing, and if you manage to find the free man, very important opportunities open up."
Spalletti nevertheless finished with a clear warning:
"In those situations you have to be fully concentrated at every moment."
JUVENTUS GET THE REACTION THEY WANTED
After the defeat to Sassuolo, Juventus needed a reaction, and the 5-0 against NEC delivered exactly what Spalletti was looking for – a result, goals, but above all the team's response to the previous setback. Particularly encouraging were the praise directed at Grabara, Nico González's contribution and the reaction of Kolo Muani, about whom Spalletti revealed how strongly he wants to finally show his full potential in a Juventus shirt.
