Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti addressed the media on Friday afternoon ahead of the Bianconeri’s home match against Lecce at the Allianz Stadium. Following the 2–0 victory away to Pisa, Juventus aim to build momentum in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.
Team Spirit and Preparation
“The players have worked well despite the distraction of the holidays,” Spalletti began. “I’ve seen them determined to develop what we need to do. We talked about the New Year and the idea that what you do at the start sets the tone. There’s a saying where I come from — every day offers a small prize, visible or not, and you have to work hard to earn it. The sum of these small prizes brings results. I expect the same focus and continuity, while always trying to find something new that gives us strength. In modern football, the players are the real protagonists.”
On the upcoming opponents, Spalletti added: “It won’t be an easy game. I know many people at Lecce, including Di Francesco, with whom I worked at Roma — we played against each other too and we’re friends. He’s a very modern coach with an attacking style. It will be an open match; they’ll come to press high.”
Managing a Busy Schedule
With seven fixtures in twenty-five days, Spalletti acknowledged the physical toll on his squad: “It’s not easy to prepare matches in such a short time, but I’m lucky to have found at Juventus a staff that knows how to work. I’ve been allowed to bring four top-level collaborators. With teamwork, we can prepare across multiple fronts. Of course, such a schedule causes some fatigue, so we’ll need to rotate. Those who’ve come off the bench so far have shown the substitutes’ bench is not just a waiting area — they’ve entered correctly and often changed games. Sometimes a strong player is chosen to come on later as part of a plan.”
On Young Prospect Elimoghale
Spalletti took a moment to discuss promising youngster Elimoghale: “He has qualities suggesting he could develop significantly in future. But he must be helped to grow correctly — he needs time to understand the game. He’s quick, light on his feet and loves to take on defenders, but he must develop physically. I’ve brought him to train with us regularly. Whether he’s called up depends on what he shows in training — that’s where you earn a place.”
Satisfaction and Mentality
“I’m satisfied because I always see my players looking for new solutions,” said Spalletti. “I made it clear: the protagonists are them. Their curiosity pleases me because it means we still have room to improve. If we don’t keep progressing, it means we’re wasting potential. I expect a constant search for team empathy, coordinated movement, and role exchanges, all within an organised chaos — an intelligent disorder.”
Looking to 2026
“We have an urgency to bring satisfaction to our supporters,” the Juventus boss emphasised. “The priority is commitment, professionalism, and doing our best. Our fans are among the most passionate and numerous; they deserve our full respect and dedication.”
Openda and David
When asked about his forward options, Spalletti gave insight into his tactical plans: “Because we want to press and win the ball back, the striker has to run a lot — attacking the goalkeeper and then dropping back. It’s physically demanding, more than for a midfielder. So tomorrow they’ll probably both play — not together, but both. They’re different and complement each other. They might share part of the match. I see them improving every day, and I expect even more.”
Market and Staff
“I arrived at Juventus with clear agreements,” Spalletti stated. “I don’t expect anything and I’m very happy with the players I have. Let me welcome Marco Ottolini — everyone knows him, he’s a top professional and a good person. A club like Juventus brought him back for a reason. He will handle the market. I don’t need anything right now — I’m content with this squad.”
Injuries and Availability
On team news, Spalletti confirmed: “Conceição has recovered and could start. Rugani and Gatti are out, Milik has a small problem and might not make the squad. Cabal will be on the bench; we’ll decide tomorrow morning after training.”
His Own Future
“If I needed extra reassurance from a longer contract, I would have asked when I first spoke with Comolli,” said Spalletti. “I didn’t, and I’m fine with everything. All I need is to feel good with my work and the people I collaborate with. I’ve found professionals who respect their roles and share the same objectives. The goal is Champions League football — we’re working towards that. In June, we’ll assess things based on our results and the good of Juventus. If everyone’s satisfied, we can talk about the future. For now, I don’t need anything else.”
Managing Risks
“The real risks don’t come from what we fail to do, but from what others prevent us from doing,” he reflected. “We always want to be beautiful, effective, and strong — but football also depends on opponents. Como won comfortably at Lecce recently, but if you analyse it closely, the difference wasn’t big — small details decided it. Balance matters. Suffering is part of football, and tomorrow we’ll try to play from the first to the last minute, while respecting a strong opponent. Lecce are a historic club who’ve produced great players.”
On Conte’s Comments
Finally, Spalletti responded to remarks by Antonio Conte with a smile: “Conte is right. Technically, I’ve got nothing to envy about his team. Structurally, he’s right again. When I arrived at Juventus, even the free-kick wall moved — at Napoli it stood still! So we’re progressing in every sense.”
