It lasted only a few seconds, but the incident left a lasting impression. During Juventus’ clash with Pisa, Manuel Locatelli saw his number appear on the electronic board and immediately realised he was being substituted. His expression stiffened — a mix of surprise and frustration flashed across his face. This wasn’t just a routine change, but one that caught him completely off guard.
Tuttosport report that, as Locatelli made his way towards the touchline, Luciano Spalletti waited with an outstretched hand. A brief but heated exchange followed, ending with the coach’s firm instruction: “Go, sit on the bench.” The moment, though fleeting, did not go unnoticed by viewers and quickly became a talking point after the match.
A delicate moment in the match
When Spalletti made the decision, the game was finely poised. Pisa had just hit the post for the second time, underlining the danger Juventus faced. In the 60th minute, the coach opted for a double substitution: Locatelli and Openda off, Zhegrova and David on.
Locatelli, until then solid and composed, looked surprised by the call. As he voiced his feelings to the coach, Spalletti’s reaction was clear and firm, shutting down any argument on the spot. The cameras didn’t capture every word, but the tension between the two was unmistakable.
Spalletti’s explanation
After the final whistle, the subject inevitably came up in the press conference. Spalletti clarified that the substitution had nothing to do with Locatelli’s performance, which he considered satisfactory. The decision, he explained, was influenced by the booking the midfielder had just received.
Given the match’s intensity and Pisa’s quick transitions, the risk of a second yellow card was too high. “Better to prevent problems than create them,” was Spalletti’s reasoning. He emphasised that his choices always serve the team’s best interests and praised the contributions of his substitutes — particularly Fabio Miretti, whose impact he highlighted as immediate and effective.
