Juventus begin their European campaign against NEC Nijmegen on Thursday, and Luciano Spalletti sent a very clear message to his players ahead of their opening Europa League match. Following the defeat to Sassuolo, simply collecting three points is no longer enough – the team must once again show the character and identity of Juventus.
The Bianconeri coach spoke about the pressure that has grown following the latest result, the reports surrounding Antonio Conte, the changes he expects from his team, Weston McKennie and Teun Koopmeiners. Pierre Kalulu also appeared alongside him at the press conference, offering particularly strong support for Randal Kolo Muani.
SPALLETTI SENDS A CLEAR MESSAGE: "WE URGENTLY NEED A WIN"
Spalletti made no attempt to downplay the importance of the opening European match. Juventus want a reaction following the defeat to Sassuolo, and the Italian coach openly admitted that his team urgently need a victory against NEC.
"We urgently need to win this match, but that's not all. We have to show that we are Juventus. I'm not interested in what people say about me."
For Spalletti, the result will therefore be important, but equally important will be the way his team responds to their latest setback. Juventus must win, but at the same time they must start looking like Juventus again.
A DIFFERENT JUVENTUS NEEDED AFTER SASSUOLO
The defeat to Sassuolo raised a number of questions, particularly because of the way Juventus lost their balance towards the end of the match. Spalletti confirmed that he had analysed what went wrong with the team and clearly identified the areas that need to improve.
"After Sassuolo, we've been clear-headed and aware that there are things we need to improve. We have to be more compact and understand when to press and when to stay together as a team."
These words further fuel the discussion about a possible change of system against NEC and a switch to a formation with three centre-backs. Greater compactness, better control of space and choosing the right moments to press will be among Spalletti's main demands for the European opener.
SPALLETTI ON PRESSURE: "IT'S THE MEDICINE THAT TEACHES YOU HOW TO LIVE"
The pressure on Spalletti has increased significantly following the defeat to Sassuolo, but the Juventus coach insists he has no intention of running away from it.
Quite the opposite.
"Accepting pressure is the medicine that teaches you how to live. I can't control what is said after a defeat, and I'm not interested in it."
Spalletti wants the response to come exclusively on the pitch and expects his players to demonstrate that they can handle the demands that come with wearing the Bianconeri shirt.
"Being ready is the only language through which we can show that we are Juventus players. Accepting the challenge of playing these matches proves that you are at Juventus' level."
The coach's message is clear: pressure is not an excuse, but an integral part of playing for Juventus.
ON CONTE WITHOUT HOLDING BACK
One of the main topics in the Italian media over the past few days has been Antonio Conte.
Spalletti was directly asked about reports linking the former Bianconeri coach with a possible return to Turin. His response was very clear.
"Everyone has the right to give importance to whatever they want, to whatever they believe deserves importance. You've made your headline about Conte, you've brought Conte up. Everyone creates whatever headline they want."
Spalletti therefore had no intention of engaging in speculation about his future or a potential successor.
Instead, he shifted the focus entirely to the pitch and what his Juventus side must do against NEC.
COMPLETE FAITH IN CARNEVALI
The Juventus coach also spoke about Giovanni Carnevali, who had publicly backed him in the previous days.
"Carnevali is a football man, an experienced and balanced person. He knows exactly what he has to do."
It was a short but very clear message from Spalletti about one of the key figures in the current Juventus project. At a time when there has been considerable discussion about the coach's future, Spalletti showed no doubts about Carnevali's decisions and way of working.
MCKENNIE WILL PLAY AGAINST NEC
Spalletti also revealed one concrete decision regarding his team. Weston McKennie will play against NEC.
"McKennie will play tomorrow."
The American has returned to the group after the physical problem that previously kept him out, and Spalletti clearly has no intention of waiting long before using him again.
It remains to be seen where McKennie will play, particularly if Juventus really do switch to a 3-4-2-1 system. His versatility gives Spalletti several options, with McKennie capable of playing in different midfield and wide roles.
SPALLETTI WAITS FOR THE REAL KOOPMEINERS
Another player the coach spoke specifically about was Teun Koopmeiners.
Much is still expected of the Dutchman, and Spalletti made it clear that the faith in him has not been lost.
"Koopmeiners is a very important player for us and we expect him to perform at the level we all know he's capable of."
Ahead of the start of the Europa League, this could also be an indication that Koopmeiners may once again be given an important role in Spalletti's plans. Juventus need his quality in midfield, and European matches could provide another opportunity for the Dutchman to find consistency.
SPALLETTI WARNS JUVENTUS: NEC SCORE TWO GOALS PER GAME
The Bianconeri coach refuses to accept the idea that Juventus face an easy start to their European campaign.
He particularly praised NEC's coach and his style of football.
"The NEC coach is top level. He had the courage to impose his ideas in a country with an advanced football culture."
He then highlighted a statistic that says a great deal about the threat posed by the Dutch side.
"NEC averages two goals per game, which says a lot about the football their coach wants to play."
According to Spalletti, Juventus will therefore have to show a completely different side compared to the one seen against Sassuolo. Less space between the lines, greater compactness and better judgement over when to press will be among the coach's main demands ahead of the European opener.
JUVENTUS MUST RESPOND ON THE PITCH
Spalletti's press conference ahead of NEC ultimately delivered one central message. The Juventus coach does not want to focus on reports about Conte, media headlines or the pressure that has emerged following the defeat to Sassuolo. He wants the response to come on the pitch.
Juventus enter the Europa League knowing they must show an immediate reaction, and Spalletti is demanding not only a result from his players, but also the return of the team's recognisable character.
His words ahead of NEC perhaps best describe the situation in which the Bianconeri currently find themselves:
"We urgently need to win this match, but that's not all. We have to show that we are Juventus."
PREDICT THE SCORE – JUVENTUS vs NEC
