One match after another, like when he was playing every three days with Juventus to win Scudetti and reach Champions League finals in 2015 and 2017. The Principino has grown up — and now it is his son Davide, 17, who trains under Luciano Spalletti as a midfielder in the Under-18 and the holder of a first professional contract. Claudio Marchisio has moved to the office: part technical advisor, part mental coach at the Circum agency, of which he is a partner alongside agent Alessandro Tocci. Almost everything different. Except the love for Juventus — of which he is both supporter and symbol.
“The Capital Increase Is Confirmation of Something Only Juventus Has”
“It’s not a surprise — it’s confirmation of the uniqueness of the bond between the Agnelli-Elkann family and Juventus. An important signal, the latest in over a hundred years of history. Only Juventus has an ownership like this.”
“Continuity. That’s What’s Been Missing for Years — Now Give Carnevali, Massara, and Spalletti Time”
On what he expects from the season after the break: “Continuity, on the pitch and off it. That’s what has been missing in recent years at every level — changes on the bench, changes in the boardroom. Now trust must be given to Carnevali, Massara, and Ottolini. Spalletti has already had his renewed — he’s in his second season in Turin.”
On the Conte nostalgia that emerged after the Sassuolo defeat: “The nostalgia for Antonio — to whom I am also very attached — has always been there and always will be. It was like that in Allegri’s time and in the years that followed. Conte is Conte for Juve. But continuity is needed, and so I still give my trust to Spalletti. The injuries, starting with Yıldız’s, have been significant. But Juventus must never look for excuses. I expect them, from the Christmas restart, to be able to fight for the top positions. And I hope for a Europa League season as a protagonist. Juventus must aim to win every competition and the cup must not be snobbbed. We haven’t lifted a European trophy for thirty years. Enough, no?”
“The Eleventh Signing Is the Best — the New Douglas Luiz”
Asked to name his favourite acquisition from the summer’s overhaul: “The eleventh: the new Douglas Luiz. The technique was never in question even two years ago — but now he’s a different player. And I’m convinced he can give even more, especially in terms of goals.”
“I’m on the Wagon — but Kolo Is Not a Bomber”
On Kolo Muani: “Of course I’ve climbed on. But Kolo is not a goal machine — Spalletti will have to be good at finding goals through different channels with Conceição, Nico, McKennie.”
On David leaving Atletico Madrid with three goals in four matches: “Perhaps he was simply not the right striker for Juventus at this particular moment in history.”
“Without Yıldız, This Is a Juventus at 70-75%”
“A lot. It’s a Juventus at 70-75%. Kenan is special. Alajbegovic is a fine talent — but he’s different.”
“Woltemade Is Not Ibra — Maximum Respect, but He Seems Lightweight”
On the Ibrahimović comparison that has followed Woltemade since his arrival: “Maximum respect, but I don’t think so. Ibra is Ibra. Woltemade has technique and physique — but he seems lightweight.” It is the most direct challenge to the consensus yet from a figure of Marchisio’s institutional authority.
“Davide Told Me: ‘Dad, the Way Gatti Presses in Training, He’s Always on Top of You'”
The most humanly vivid passage of the entire interview concerned the daily intelligence his son brings home from the Continassa. “Davide told me: ‘Dad, the way Gatti presses — he’s always right on top of you.'” It is the perfect encapsulation of the defender-in-transformation that Federico Gatti has become under Spalletti — a player whose competitive ferocity in training is the first thing a 17-year-old notices.
On Elimoghale — the 2009-born talent who has already declared his Ballon d’Or ambition: “If he deserves it, Spalletti will decide. Destiny is a good lad and a wide attacker with great potential — he’s further ahead at his age than I was. Many clubs abroad are following him, but his dream is Juventus. He’s not the only one — I think of our youth players Corigliano, Rigo, Rocchetti…”
“I Would Have Wanted Tonali — and I Have a Weakness for Midfielders Who Score”
On the January market: “The ones I’d want are difficult to move in winter and want to play Champions League football. But there’s something positive in a Europa League season — it can become an opportunity to launch some youth players.” On the player he most covets: “I would have wanted Tonali — impossible now. Maybe Frattesi could come back into fashion: I have a weakness for midfielders with a goal-scoring habit.”
