Speaking to the media on the eve of Juventus’ Champions League showdown against Monaco, Luciano Spalletti mixed sharp humour with clear tactical intent as he previewed the crucial fixture at Stade Louis II. With the Bianconeri already through to the playoffs following last week’s win over Benfica, the Italian coach confirmed that his side would look to play freely but still aim for victory — and revealed several line-up decisions ahead of Wednesday night’s clash.
“Openda will play – and so will Koop”
The Juventus boss made no secret of his plans to start both Loïs Openda and Teun Koopmeiners, offering insight into his selection dilemmas:
“Yildiz is one of those I won’t reveal. Kalulu will play. We must be careful — Bremer has played a lot of matches, while Gatti doesn’t have 90 minutes in his legs. Bremer wanted to play and gave me a positive response. Openda will play up front and Koopmeiners in midfield.”
Asked about Openda’s mentality, Spalletti gave an honest assessment of the forward’s personality and potential. “When I talk about Openda, it’s not about the meaning of words but the relationship you have with players that sometimes allows you to be firm. He has great qualities and clear ability, but he’s such a good guy that it actually holds him back a little. He feels pressure and many things weigh on him — they stop him from being calm.”
“Curious to see us without pressure”
With Juventus having already secured progress, Spalletti hopes to see his side play naturally and show creativity without fixation on the result. “I’m curious to see what we can do without the burden of results. It’s the best condition you can have — playing a Champions League match without the need to win at all costs,” he said. “We’ve shown a solid base, but tension can limit you. I’ll make a few changes, but I want to see a very high level of exploration, to try new things with complete freedom.”
Despite that, he was quick to clarify that Juventus will not take the match lightly. “I never said we won’t try to win. We’re going there to play without restraint. You play to win, then you must deserve it. I want to see a response from those who start; afterwards we’ll assess where we really stand.”
“I thought it was artificial intelligence – then realised it was Conte”
In one of the more humorous moments of the press conference, Spalletti responded to Antonio Conte’s recent comments directed at him. With a smile, he quipped: “At first I thought it was artificial intelligence, then I realised it was actually true. I’d hope we could have different topics – Champions League ones.”
The remark drew laughter in the room, underlining Spalletti’s measured but witty handling of criticism from his former managerial rival.
McKennie praised for adaptability
Spalletti also paid tribute to Weston McKennie, who continues to be one of Juventus’ standout performers in European competition. “McKennie is very valuable to the team. He has great availability, and improvement is a process to be lived day by day. He has unquestionable qualities and personality, and interacts well with everyone,” the coach explained. “He can score goals, he can slide in to clean your box — he does a bit of everything. As for his contract, that’s not my area.”
Aiming for a direct route to the last 16
While Juventus are already assured of a playoff place, Spalletti admitted that avoiding two more matches would be ideal. “It’s probably better to play two fewer games,” he said. “All these fixtures overlapping can become tiring. We’ve already made a lot of changes and we’ve realised we’re dealing with serious, intelligent people. You can say what you like, but without those qualities it’s difficult. You have to bring them out and train them.”
Tactical flexibility and the market
On the question of formation, Spalletti remained philosophical rather than rigid. “Three-man or four-man defence? It’s a definition I don’t like. We’ll adapt based on the opponent. Facing a strong side like Monaco won’t be simple — we’ll need balance across the whole pitch.”
As for January transfers, Spalletti hinted that Juventus continue to evaluate their options. “When you don’t have something, you either buy it or try to bring it out of the players you already have. We still have margin for growth. We have undeniable potential and can compete with anyone, but certain players can fix things more quickly. If something comes along that gives us something extra, it would be an advantage.”
“We must have the obsession of identity”
Closing the press conference, Spalletti offered a thoughtful reflection on what this match represents for Juventus. “Sometimes we write something on the wallpaper,” he smiled. “For this game, we’ve written nothing. It’s a Champions League match — everyone’s watching. Many care deeply about this club, and these results need to be reaffirmed from time to time to stay at the top level in football. We’ll go there with full focus and strength to face a great team, and we’ll need to be just as strong. You must have the obsession of building an identity in these matches if you want to be players worthy of Juventus.”
