Giovanni Carnevali addressed the Sky Sport microphones at the Gran Galà del Calcio on Wednesday evening — and the occasion produced his most candid and complete post-window reflection yet, covering every major story of a summer that transformed the club from the ground up.
“The Market We Did Is Responsibility and Credit for Everyone”
Carnevali opened with the framing that will define how this summer is judged. “The transfer market that has been done is the responsibility and credit of everyone — now we must demonstrate it on the pitch.” It is the most direct possible way of closing one chapter and opening another: the work is done, the squad is assembled, and the measure of success will be found not in the elegance of the negotiations but in the results they produce.
“Woltemade? We Needed a Player with Specific Characteristics — the Idea Came from Massara, Ottolini, and Spalletti”
On the final signing of the window, Carnevali was generous in acknowledging the collaborative nature of the decision. “We had a need for a player with certain characteristics. The idea came from my sporting area — from Massara and Ottolini — alongside manager Spalletti, who is a coach of great quality. I have the opportunity to watch training sessions and I can see the great work he does. I am convinced that thanks to him, whom I consider one of the very best coaches in the world, we will be able to do good things.”
“We Were Satisfied — It Was a Difficult Market, but We Built a Competitive Squad”
On the overall window, Carnevali was measured in his pride but unambiguous in his conviction. “We have a single purpose: to do well, looking at both the present and the future. The squad has been changed a great deal. I am satisfied — because we knew it would be a difficult market, but I think the operations carried out allow us to put together a competitive squad. Bearing in mind that we also have priorities such as the Settlement Agreement and certain terms that must be respected, I believe we have managed to achieve all of that.”
“Koopmeiners and González? Every Player Who Stayed Has Value”
The most politically sensitive element of the post-window landscape concerned the players who remained despite being in the departure queue. Carnevali addressed them collectively and without evasion. “All the players who stayed represent a value for the squad — and we have an obligation to find the best solutions to allow them to demonstrate it. Spalletti knows this too. Time is needed. We will see if they can give that something extra — but I think all the conditions are there.” The reference to Koopmeiners and González — whose goals against Parma changed at least the immediate narrative — was unmistakable and deliberately hopeful.
“Thuram Will Be Out Longer Than Yıldız — We Were a Little Unlucky”
On the injury crisis that has arrived before the season has barely begun: “We were a little unlucky. Thuram will have a longer stop than Yıldız — but there will be time to recover.” The understatement carries the weight of a CEO who knows four months without a starting central midfielder is no small matter — but who has chosen to frame it as a manageable challenge rather than a crisis.
“Kessié? It Is Part of Our Profession — We Always Have a Plan B”
The question about the summer’s most discussed failed transfer was answered with the dignity and discretion of a man who genuinely means what he says. “Did I feel bad about it? It is part of our profession. We always had a Plan B. We need to have players who truly want to wear this shirt.” It is the clearest possible public statement on the matter — and the closest Carnevali will come to acknowledging that desire, as he has maintained all summer, is a precondition rather than a bonus.
“The Europa League Is a Priority Objective — It Gives Access to the Champions League”
The final and perhaps most important passage concerned the competition in which Juventus’s season will largely be defined. “The Europa League is an objective on which we must absolutely work. A club like Juventus must compete for major achievements, regardless of the market. The Europa League allows you to access the Champions League — so it is a priority objective today. We know the difficulties and the demands that come with it. But it is an objective we must not overlook in any way.”
Conceição: “We Want to Fight for Titles”
Francisco Conceição, also present at the Gran Galà, added his own characteristically direct contribution. “Good feelings — I think we have started the season very well, but the road is long. We want to fight for titles. That is the ambition of the club. We play match by match, starting with the next — a very important one against Milan.” Carnevali echoed the focus: “We are concentrated on Milan because we know it is a very difficult match. Our objective is to bring home the most important result — and we are focused day by day.”
