Cesare Prandelli — Italy’s manager at the 2012 European Championship final, where the Azzurri finished as runners-up — has played for both Juventus and Atalanta across a long and distinguished career, and speaks about Sunday’s match with the authority of a man who knows both institutions intimately. Speaking ahead of the Allianz Stadium showdown between Spalletti and Sarri, the former coach delivered one of the most warmly balanced and analytically precise previews yet published.
“Juventus Are Favourites — Against NEC I Saw a Team Finally Beautiful, Cohesive, and Compact”
On the NEC match and the confidence it has generated: “Juventus start as favourites against Atalanta. In the Europa League I finally saw a beautiful, cohesive, and compact team. The players gave me the impression of saying: we read that Spalletti is in difficulty — so now we take care of it ourselves. And they beat NEC 5-0.”
“Spalletti and Sarri Are Different Tuscans — but Among the Best Italian Managers”
On the two managers facing each other on Sunday: “They are different Tuscans — but two of the best Italian coaches and on the training ground they resemble each other: clear ideas and concepts, a precise script. Luciano won the Scudetto with Napoli, Maurizio won it with Juventus. But it is a scandal that it took Sarri so many years to get another opportunity in Serie A.”
On the tactical contest: “Spalletti and Sarri know each other well and have mutual respect — they will play a chess match. I am curious to see who makes the first move and risks more initially. I think it will be Luciano, who has greater certainty after the convincing Europa League performance.”
“The Back Three Alone Does Not Explain the Turnaround — It Confirms Spalletti’s Craft”
On the formation shift: “No — because Spalletti has a squad that can adapt to different tactical garments. Rather, the move to a back three confirms his ability and his craft — after thirty years of coaching he has tried everything, and unlike other colleagues you never hear him say ‘this is my football, take it or leave it.’ He understood the team’s moment and responded brilliantly to those who had put him in question.”
“The Conte Talk Will Be a Stimulus for Spalletti — Not a Problem”
On the background noise about Antonio Conte: “Luciano has been in this world for many years and knows the dynamics of football. The talk about Conte will be a stimulus for him. Not a problem.” It is the calmest and most measured assessment of the Conte question delivered by any external observer since the speculation began — and it comes from a man who knows Spalletti personally and professionally across decades of Italian football.
“Nico González Is Spalletti’s Biggest Piece of Luck — More Complete Than He Was at Fiorentina”
Prandelli’s prediction for Sunday’s match winner cut straight to the player everyone is discussing. “I back Nico González — the authentic stroke of luck for Juventus. With Yıldız injured, the former Viola is Spalletti’s strongest player. I already liked him at Florence, but now he seems even more complete — right, left, centre, always at pace and with Argentine spirit. Luciano is good at making him feel cherished — and that makes the difference. Look at Douglas Luiz: the Brazilian seems a different player from his first season in Turin. He still has the potential to do even better.”
“Kolo Muani Needs Space — Woltemade Reminds Me of the Young Ibra. The One Who Scored Little at First”
On the striker question: “Kolo Muani needs space and I see him better wide. Woltemade I have followed since his Germany Under-21 days — I have always had a soft spot for him. He doesn’t score much — but he sees football. He doesn’t have Ibrahimović’s power, but as a physical structure he reminds me of the young Ibra — the one who in his first period at Juventus didn’t score much and then…” He paused for a beat. “And then, at the school of a great manager like Fabio Capello, he became a serial finisher.”
“Kessié Chose Atalanta Out of Gratitude More Than Money”
On the Ivorian’s decision to return to Bergamo rather than sign for Juventus: “More than money, I think what weighed on him was gratitude towards Atalanta — the club that launched him.” And on whether Kessié might score against Juventus on Sunday: “He is a player of personality and experience — but Atalanta have many good ones: Rowe, Scamacca…” He paused again. “And I back Raspadori, who has a favourable record against Juventus.”
“Spalletti Would Need a Tardelli — Sarri Would Benefit from a Strömberg”
Asked which of his former teammates he would lend to each manager for Sunday’s match, Prandelli’s answer was as historically resonant as it was tactically precise. “Apart from Platini — who is unique — I think Luciano at this stage would need above all a total midfielder in the style of Tardelli, who was modern already in the 1980s. For Sarri, the leadership of Strömberg would be useful — mythical also in the way he brought his teammates together.” It is, in a single exchange, a portrait of what both managers are missing and what Sunday’s match will demand.
