Spalletti: Elkann "turned me back" into an assistant
After the match against the Juventus Next Gen side, Luciano Spalletti spoke about a number of current topics, and the conversation began with an amusing anecdote about John Elkann, who joined him on the bench.
"I became an assistant coach again when Mr Elkann joined me on the bench. I was demoted and I kept quiet, because I wanted to hear what he had to say. He was curious, and the questions he asked were intelligent."
He wanted the match to last longer
Spalletti made no secret of the fact that he would have preferred the traditional fixture to last longer before the fans ran onto the pitch.
"We would have liked to play longer today. Yesterday I met families who had travelled from all over Italy for this match."
The Juventus coach believes the traditional pitch invasion could have waited until the closing stages of the match.
"Those same people could have come onto the pitch in the 85th minute. That way everyone would have had the chance to enjoy the spectacle longer, see the players and be part of this truly beautiful and special celebration."
Spalletti added that the team also needed a more serious competitive test, but that the lost work will be made up in training over the coming days.
Vicario? "We are convinced we have signed a top goalkeeper"
He spoke in particular about new goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
"Vicario was one of the players we were tracking. I know him very well and he is an experienced goalkeeper. His final spell at Tottenham was not a positive one, but we are convinced we have signed a top player."
It was also a clear message from Spalletti that Juventus believe Vicario can return to the level he showed in the best spells of his career.
Why did Juventus sign Lucumi?
Spalletti also explained the reasons behind the arrival of Jhon Lucumi, for whom Juventus paid a significant fee.
"We were looking for players who fit our needs and who have quality. He is definitely one of them."
The Bianconeri coach admitted the transfer was not cheap.
"We spent quite a lot of money on him because the level we demand in that position is extremely high."
Juventus' goal is for Spalletti to have serious competition in every position.
"We want to increase the depth of the squad in every position, because for the season ahead we need more players who can fight each other for a place in the team."
Spalletti honest about Juventus' financial power
At the end he delivered perhaps the most interesting message regarding the rest of the transfer window.
"We are not in a position to sign players by spending enormous amounts of money the way some other clubs can."
Spalletti believes Juventus have not yet reached the level of Europe's most powerful sides.
"There is still work ahead of us to reach the level of certain teams. We are a strong team, but there are also some extremely strong teams out there."
