Gianluca Zambrotta believes Luciano Spalletti has already given Juventus a clear identity, but insists the team are still lacking something to truly resemble the great Juve sides of the past and to compete at the highest level in every competition. The former Bianconeri full-back, who played 297 times for the club and featured in 14 Derby d’Italia clashes, offered a candid assessment of the current team to La Gazzetta dello Sport and looked ahead to the showdown with Inter.
“Spalletti Has Found the Balance – But Juve Still Lack Something”
Zambrotta sees clear progress under the current coach compared to recent years.
“The impression, after the spells under Motta and Tudor, is that Spalletti has found the right balance in terms of play,” he said. “Juve create a lot more and in a different way: this is Luciano’s work, and it is clear his hand can be seen. But there is still something missing to rediscover the Juventus of the past and to be competitive in every competition.”
One recurring theme this season has been Juventus conceding on the first shot on target, something he does not put down to bad luck.
“No, I don’t think it’s misfortune. Against Atalanta they deserved to take the lead because they created so many chances and they had a penalty given against them for a debatable handball in the box. Against Lazio they conceded two goals from two shots and then had to chase the game to get back into it. Maybe Spalletti needs to adjust something in terms of the team’s impact on the match in the opening minutes.”
Dropped Points and a Missing Number 9
For Zambrotta, some of Juventus’ stumbles are part of a normal growth path, but they are costly.
“Yes, absolutely. Compared to Inter, what stands out is that the Nerazzurri have picked up a lot of points against teams fighting for very different objectives, while Juventus have dropped points against Cagliari, Lecce, Fiorentina, Verona… That means a lot for a team that has to fight for the Champions League places or to win the Scudetto: in the end, those points weigh heavily.”
In attack, he feels the issue is not the supply line, but the profile of the striker.
“I don’t see it as a question of whether the ball gets to the striker, because McKennie scores and Yildiz scores,” he explained. “In my opinion, what Juve are missing is a real centre-forward. Vlahovic was the number nine, whether people like him or not, and now Juve don’t have a striker like him or like Lautaro. A player of that calibre is important for a team like Juventus.”
Asked whether someone like Marcus Thuram could be the answer, Zambrotta was realistic.
“I don’t think Inter would sell him to a rival. I hope Vlahovic can stay at Juventus and go back to being the player who deserves to be in such a strong team.”
Yildiz’s Renewal: “He Must Not Sit Back”
If there is no fixed number nine, there is at least a talented number ten in Kenan Yildiz, whose renewal has raised expectations.
“Juventus are really backing him and that is a huge responsibility for the club and for him,” Zambrotta said. “He has to realise he is becoming important, even if it shouldn’t feel like a weight. Spalletti must be smart – and I believe he is – not to load him with too much responsibility, to let him play with great freedom as he has done so far, because at any moment he can make the difference. Juventus were right to tie him down, to give him value with an important contract. It’s clear that now he must not ‘sit back’ just because he has renewed, because the fans and the club will expect much more from him.”
Weston McKennie is another player he sees as crucial, especially in support of Jonathan David.
“It’s right that David plays as the central striker and that McKennie stays a bit deeper, so he can make late runs,” he argued. “He is excellent in that role and putting him as a centre-forward would mean losing him in the defensive phase. Spalletti has said it: he is comfortable everywhere, he helps both defensively and offensively, and he is showing that with all these goals. I see him very well in the area between midfield and attack: he makes runs forward and gives his support.”
Derby d’Italia Memories and What Juve Must Gain
Zambrotta also looked back fondly on his own experiences in Inter–Juve clashes.
“It’s a great match and a historic rivalry between the clubs, really felt by everyone: just think of the famous penalty incident, Iuliano on Ronaldo, which people still talk about today,” he recalled. “I remember it fondly: it has always been a clash lived with euphoria and football tension, with great expectations on both sides. A beautiful match to play.”
For this edition, he believes Juventus must look at it as a chance to gain ground rather than something to fear.
“In my opinion, they must think only about what they have to gain,” he said. “They have to try to claw back as many points as possible on everyone: on Roma, who are level on points, on Napoli who are struggling a bit, on Milan who have a game in hand. Considering also that in Napoli v Roma at least one of the two will drop points, Juve have to make the most of this chance.”
The schedule does Juventus no favours, but the approach must not change.
“Yes, Galatasaray in the play-off, Como who at the moment are a real handful, then Roma,” he noted. “In Inter v Juve, just like in a derby, you can’t make too many calculations. It’s a complicated match against a team that has a very positive run of results, even if they have struggled a bit more against the big sides. But they have the best attack and, on top of that, Juventus will have to be very careful on set pieces, because Inter are a goal machine especially from corners.”
Key Duels: “Limit Dimarco and Watch Thuram–Lautaro”
Zambrotta pointed to several decisive battles that could tilt the Derby d’Italia.
“Juventus must do a great job in limiting Dimarco, who at the moment is making the difference for Inter: he is the best assist-maker and is having a fantastic season,” he said. “So Kalulu and Conceição on that flank will have to try to limit him as much as possible. Then I’d mention Thuram–Lautaro against Bremer and Kelly – that’s another great battle, because Inter have a formidable attack: they’ve scored 57 goals, the best attack in the league. Finally, Juventus must be strong in one-on-one situations, especially out wide between Conceição, Yildiz or, if he comes on, Zhegrova.”
When it came to a prediction, Zambrotta chose diplomacy – with one final nod to his old club.
“No prediction… I just hope Juve win!”
