Former Italy manager Cesare Prandelli has weighed in on the upcoming clash between Juventus and Atalanta, highlighting its potential impact on the Serie A title race. In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Prandelli shared his insights on Juventus’ recent form, their title aspirations, and key players to watch.
Prandelli emphasized the match’s significance for Juventus, stating, “It’s more decisive for the Bianconeri: with a victory, they have the chance to catch up with Atalanta and third place, gifting themselves an unexpected finale. Juventus has only one result: victory. A draw would change little, and losing would push them back.”
Despite recent controversies, Prandelli believes Juventus has quietly positioned itself as a title contender. “Juventus, quietly and amidst a sea of controversies over the double elimination from Champions League and Coppa Italia, has moved to within 6 points of league leaders Inter and close to Napoli and Atalanta,” he noted. Prandelli praised the team’s resilience, particularly after their loss to Empoli, viewing their immediate reaction as a strong signal of the group’s seriousness and values.
Discussing Thiago Motta’s impact, Prandelli observed, “The real Juventus is the one we’ll see in the last 11 league matches. Now Thiago will have the opportunity to train every day and can have a greater impact.” He commended Motta’s adaptability, noting a shift towards more direct and vertical play while maintaining his core philosophy.
When asked to choose between Yildiz and Lookman, Prandelli surprisingly opted for Vlahovic. “I coached Dusan in Florence and consider him very strong. Rather than giving up Dusan, I would always play him and Kolo Muani together,” he explained. Prandelli also tipped Nico Gonzalez as a potential game-changer for Juventus, stating, “The devastating player from Florence hasn’t been seen in Turin yet, but he seems to be improving, and this is the right evening to turn things around.”
