Luciano Spalletti spoke to the press after Juventus secured their place in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals with a 2–0 win over Udinese. The Bianconeri advanced thanks to an own goal from Palma and a penalty converted by Manuel Locatelli, delivering another confident performance under Spalletti’s guidance.
The coach discussed the team’s growing assurance, injury concerns, and tactical improvements following the victory.
Visible Progress and Calmness
“I saw them less worried when making decisions and executing their plays,” said Spalletti. “We need this kind of quality in our game because we are not a team of sprinters. There are matches where I don’t feel calm on the bench, because something unexpected can always happen. Tonight, I didn’t have that sensation. We played well across the whole pitch and throughout the match.”
The Tuscan manager emphasised that composure and technical quality are now becoming fundamental to Juventus’ identity.
Concern Over Gatti’s Knee
Spalletti also addressed the injury suffered by Federico Gatti during the match, admitting that the defender’s condition remains uncertain.
“I don’t know yet,” he said. “He’s in pain and he felt a crack inside his knee. For me it’s hard to say what it might be tomorrow — the doctors will inform us. Our medical staff will update everyone correctly about what happened.”
Victories Ease the Pressure
According to Spalletti, this win came at an important moment, helping lift the team’s morale and confidence.
“Victories help you feel better and freer from pressure,” he explained. “Even if it hadn’t happened tonight, I could still say that I’ve seen improvement day by day, in training sessions and with the ball at our feet. We could have done more this evening, but we can be satisfied — progress is clearly there.”
What Pleased the Coach
Spalletti praised his players for their composure in and out of possession, as well as for specific individual performances.
“What I liked was the continuity of staying in the action and not being tense when the opponents had the ball,” he said. “We managed the defensive phase very well, and I was happy with Zhegrova’s 10 or 15 minutes after such a long absence. Perhaps he deserved more time tonight, but seeing him make two defensive runs back into our box — that’s not his usual trait, and it pleased me.
“He confirmed his huge imagination and technical skill with the ball. He’s like a lit fuse — he can scare you at any moment because he might explode with a spark of creativity. He sees passing lanes where others see only walls, and he manages to get through them.”
Miretti’s Contribution and Growing Role
The coach was equally complimentary about Fabio Miretti’s performance and the importance of giving him more minutes.
“Miretti was solid until the end,” Spalletti said. “He was tidy with the ball, always looking beyond the first pass. He needed playing time, and the fact that he got it will be crucial for helping him reach his full potential.”
Building on the Back Four
Finally, Spalletti analysed the tactics behind Juventus’ evolving defensive structure, highlighting flexibility and possession play as key factors in their success.
“Yes, we’d prepared for the build-up with a back four in the previous days,” he noted. “At times we pressed with the fifth man on their full-back, which gave us that shape. You could already see some progress — the difference comes from the quality of our passing. We’re on the right track, but we still need to take further steps forward.
“We won the ball twice in their half and couldn’t finish those actions inside their net. We were a bit timid in those moments. Matches can turn on a single episode; when you play cleanly, you have to finish the job early instead of waiting for something like a penalty to make you feel safe. The unexpected can happen and cause problems.”
