Luciano Spalletti spoke to Sky ahead of Galatasaray v Juventus in the Champions League, emphasising courage, unity, and focus as key ingredients for the evening’s crucial tie.
“It all seems incandescent, it all seems to be burning,” Spalletti began. “I have to be what’s needed right now; we’ll need the right kind of courage. My players have shown so far that they are men who then become a team, and that’s the best thing any coach can receive from his group.”
The Juventus manager also addressed the lingering discussion around the recent Inter-Juventus clash, making clear that his side had already moved on.
“We’ve already left behind what happened,” he said. “We’re going to play for our future with tonight’s matches, not with what happened the other day.”
Turning to tactical matters, Spalletti was asked about the decision to use Weston McKennie in a central attacking role and the threat posed by Victor Osimhen, who will lead the line for Galatasaray.
“It will always be crucial how you press and how you break through their pressure – that’s where everything lies,” Spalletti explained. “Pressing squeezes the pitch for your opponents and forces them to think faster; playing under pressure lets you open up the field and raise your quality. In that moment, everything can become beautiful and decisive for the result.”
As for Osimhen, Spalletti was full of respect but expressed confidence in his defenders.
“Osimhen? He has those bursts of speed, anger and physicality – he’s a complete and powerful player. But in our centre-backs, we’ve got the qualities to match him.”
