The draw against Fiorentina has reignited debate around Juventus’ trajectory under Luciano Spalletti. With just two wins in the past two months — against Udinese and Cremonese — the Bianconeri are struggling to turn performances into victories. Even against bottom-placed Fiorentina, Juventus failed to take all three points, as Filip Kostic’s opener was cancelled out by former Juve midfielder Rolando Mandragora’s equaliser at the Franchi.
It was the team’s third consecutive draw with Spalletti on the touchline and another reminder that the gap between Juventus’ ambitions and current form remains wide. The coach himself summed it up after the match: “We must have the ambition to try to win the league, but it’s not something we can say we have to win right now.” He later admitted, “We need to raise the level.”
Ferrara: “What Spalletti Says Is the Truth”
Speaking on DAZN, as reported by Tuttosport, after the match, a panel of former Juventus players — Ciro Ferrara, Luca Toni, and Hernanes — discussed whether Spalletti’s side can change their rhythm and direction.
“It’s been some time that we’ve tried to understand whether this team can shift gears,” said Ferrara. “It’s inevitable that people draw comparisons — just as they did between Tudor and Spalletti — but there’s nothing written that says Juventus must win the title this year. It’s a club built to compete for it, yes, but not obliged to win it now. What Spalletti says is the truth, and he knows exactly what the objectives are. He’s an important coach, and he said something just as important in his press conference — that the level has to be raised.”
Toni and Hernanes on the Champions League Challenge
Former midfielder Hernanes offered a pragmatic view on Juventus’ run of results. “Looking at those statistics, with eight draws, I think this team doesn’t yet have the strength to win games — but because it’s Juventus, it also doesn’t lose. So, they draw. That’s the reality,” he said.
Luca Toni, meanwhile, turned his focus to the Champions League race. “A Juventus aiming to fight for a place in the Champions League, not necessarily for the title, still needs to raise its standards,” he commented. “They have to do more. I’ll give some credit to Fiorentina for their performance, but Juventus must do much more if they want to finish in the top four.”
Ciro Ferrara concluded by highlighting the increased competition for European places: “Atalanta are going through a difficult spell, but they’re usually up there competing. Then there’s Bologna and even Como — clubs not used to that level but showing the drive and enthusiasm needed to stay in the race.”
