Juventus travel to Sassuolo on Sunday at 20:45 at the Mapei Stadium for matchday four of Serie A, and Luciano Spalletti spoke at his press conference about the state of the squad, the injuries, the players coming back and his expectations ahead of another tough away trip.
You can read the full match preview here.
The Bianconeri coach addressed in particular the absence of Manuel Locatelli, the condition of Andrea Cambiaso and Weston McKennie, the return of Pape Matar Sarr, and the roles of Nick Woltemade, Teun Koopmeiners and Douglas Luiz.
SPALLETTI ON LOCATELLI: "HIS ABSENCE INCREASES EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY"
Manuel Locatelli's injury was one of the first topics of the press conference. The Juventus captain will not be available, but Spalletti expects his absence to further motivate the rest of the team.
"First of all, we are sorry about what happened to Locatelli. However, his absence increases everyone's responsibility, because he is a player who always pays attention to every detail. This week I saw a team that is very ready to fight against everything in its path. The team trained very well."
THE PLAN DOES NOT CHANGE WITHOUT LOCATELLI
Spalletti stressed that the captain's absence will not force Juventus to give up the tactical flexibility they have shown since the start of the season.
"Because of the individual pressing players have today, there is much more freedom on the pitch, which is why we have used different systems. In that sense nothing changes without Locatelli. We can use any system because we have a squad that allows us to."
MCKENNIE AND CAMBIASO UNLIKELY FOR SASSUOLO – SARR IS READY
The most important information concerned the fitness of three players. While Weston McKennie and Andrea Cambiaso remain big doubts, Pape Matar Sarr will finally be available to the Juventus coach. Cambiaso will have his final test on match day.
"McKennie and Cambiaso are unlikely to be available tomorrow. Andrea will do a fitness test tomorrow morning. Sarr, however, will be available."
SPALLETTI IS CLEAR: "WE HAVE TO GO OUT AND WIN"
Despite the many injury problems, Spalletti wants no excuses. His message ahead of the trip to the Mapei is clear – Juventus must impose their identity.
"We have to go out on the pitch and win. We have to impose ourselves by playing like Juventus and raising our level further. We have to be above everything that happens to us."
SPALLETTI BELIEVES IN KOOPMEINERS: "I EXPECT A BIG GAME"
Spalletti spoke in particular about Teun Koopmeiners, from whom he expects a lot at a time when Juventus have serious problems in midfield.
"There is now a deeper understanding with Koopmeiners. For players, having more minutes on the pitch makes a big difference. He is now free and much more relaxed. He is a complete footballer and I expect a big game from him."
DOUGLAS LUIZ BELIEVES IN HIMSELF AGAIN
Another player who could get an important role against Sassuolo is Douglas Luiz.
Spalletti believes the Brazilian is rediscovering the confidence he needs to show his qualities.
"Douglas Luiz has shown in several places that he is a good footballer. He probably needed to regain trust in his qualities in order to bring them back fully. He can play with both long and short passes, he is resilient, physically strong and always available to his team-mates."
WOLTEMADE GETS HIS CHANCE: "HE WILL BE PART OF THE MATCH"
Spalletti then spoke about Nick Woltemade, who has made a very positive impression since arriving in Turin. The Juventus coach practically confirmed that the German forward will be involved in the match against Sassuolo in some way.
"Woltemade has already fitted into the group and made a good impression from the first training session. He has shown us that he knows how to move and function on the pitch. Tomorrow, one way or another, he will be part of the match."
SPALLETTI ON SARR: "WE ARE CONVINCED WE HAVE A STRONG PLAYER"
The return of Pape Matar Sarr is a big boost for the Juventus midfield, and Spalletti did not hide how much he values the qualities of the Senegal international.
"Sarr is a player who arouses curiosity. He knows very well how to handle every situation. He covers a huge amount of ground and you can find him everywhere on the pitch thanks to his stamina. He knows how to win the ball and technically he is also very good. We are convinced we have a strong player available."
SPALLETTI WARNS: "SASSUOLO ARE VERY DANGEROUS"
The Juventus coach does not expect an easy match in Reggio Emilia. He particularly highlighted Sassuolo's ability to win the ball quickly and go straight on the attack.
"Sassuolo are a team that has stood out over the years for the quality of its football. They are one of the best teams when it comes to winning the ball and transitioning quickly into attack."
PRAISE FOR SASSUOLO: "THEY HAVE CREATED A BALANCED ENVIRONMENT"
Spalletti praised not only the next opponent's football but also the way Sassuolo works as a club.
"I also want to congratulate the club, because they have always managed to create a balanced environment. Everyone speaks about Sassuolo in the same way."
SPALLETTI AGAINST HIS FORMER PUPIL: "I KNEW AQUILANI WOULD BECOME A COACH"
A special story of the match will be the duel between Luciano Spalletti and Alberto Aquilani.
Spalletti once coached Aquilani at Roma, and even then, he says, he saw the traits of a future coach.
"A very difficult match awaits us against a well-coached team. When I coached Alberto Aquilani, I already had the feeling he could become a coach. As a player he had a lot of quality too, and with his style of play he always suggested something to his team-mates."
SPALLETTI PRAISES AQUILANI BEFORE THE NEW MEETING
Spalletti believes the characteristics Aquilani had as a player can clearly be seen today in the teams he coaches.
"I can recognise all of that in the teams he has coached, including Sassuolo. I want to congratulate him on the job he is doing."
JUVENTUS GO TO THE MAPEI WITHOUT ALIBIS
Juventus will therefore arrive at the Mapei significantly weakened, but Spalletti's message ahead of matchday four of Serie A leaves little room for excuses.
Locatelli will certainly be missing, McKennie and Cambiaso are unlikely to recover in time, while Sarr's return is important positive news. Woltemade should get his chance, and extra responsibility in midfield will fall on Koopmeiners and Douglas Luiz.
According to the coach, the goal is only one – go out on the pitch, play like Juventus and win.
Source: Juventus FC
