It is a very delicate period for Michele Di Gregorio, one of the Juventus players most heavily targeted and criticised after recent performances. The Italian goalkeeper, already under close observation, endured another difficult afternoon in the defeat against Como, adding further weight to an already complicated spell. Beyond legitimate football criticism, however, the situation has spilled over into something far more serious, forcing Di Gregorio to take steps to protect himself.
Abuse On and Off the Pitch
Juventus–Como had started badly for Di Gregorio even before kick-off. As reported, during the warm-up he was singled out by a section of the crowd with offensive chants and insults, including references to his past in Inter’s youth academy. It was an early indication of the hostile climate surrounding him.
According to Tuttosport, things worsened after the match. Following his error on Como’s opening goal, the goalkeeper became the target of a wave of abuse on social media. The situation escalated to the point where he was effectively forced to limit interaction on Instagram, closing comments on his posts due to the gravity of the insults, which reportedly included threats towards his family. In the end, Di Gregorio chose to “isolate” himself, at least online, in an attempt to shield his private life from this toxic environment.
Spalletti’s Support
For Luciano Spalletti, this is a complex situation to manage, both from a human and a sporting point of view. Publicly, the coach has repeatedly defended his goalkeeper, making it clear that the responsibility for Juventus’s poor results does not fall on one player alone. “Di Gregorio is perfectly in line with his team-mates, he has no more responsibility than the others,” he has stated, underlining how mistakes are shared and how the team as a whole must do better.
In recent days, Spalletti has remained close to Di Gregorio, both in front of the cameras and behind the scenes. The defeat to Como is said to have left the goalkeeper psychologically shattered, and the coach is fully aware that rebuilding his confidence is essential not only for the player’s wellbeing but also for the balance of the dressing room.
A Possible Spell on the Bench
Alongside the coach’s support, there is now the question of how Spalletti will handle his goalkeeping choices in the immediate future. Given the pressure, the hostile climate and the obvious psychological toll on Di Gregorio, it would not be surprising to see him start from the bench in the upcoming Champions League tie against Galatasaray.
In that case, Mattia Perin would step in as starter, with the decision framed not as a punishment but as a way of giving Di Gregorio some breathing space away from the spotlight. A brief spell out of the firing line could help him regain clarity and confidence, while allowing Juventus to navigate a crucial phase of the season with a calmer environment around such a sensitive position.
