Juventus continued their positive run with a 2-1 victory over Cagliari at the Allianz Stadium, thanks to a brace from Kenan Yildiz. After the final whistle, manager Luciano Spalletti spoke at length in the post-match press conference (as quoted by IlBianconero), offering an honest and colourful analysis of his team’s performance.
Approach and Reaction
“The approach was timid, no doubt about it. As we failed to take control of the game, the crowd started to get restless and that affected us. Then we lost the ball trying to do more,” Spalletti admitted. “But we reacted as normal people do – and by reacting, we scored immediately and managed the match without anything exceptional.
“The second half was much better. The team found the spaces we wanted, stopped being so mechanical with the ball, and created good situations. Of course, if you don’t finish them, any team can hit you – Cagliari are good at that, with their physicality and long balls towards the two strikers. Not perfect, but some things were done well.”
Vlahović’s Condition
The coach gave a brief update on Dusan Vlahović’s fitness: “Pulled muscle, there’s some fluid.”
On Jonathan David
Asked how to “wake up” Jonathan David, Spalletti replied: “He had a good connection with the team. He kept possession, gave us superiority in midfield, allowed us to move out, and linked up well. Technically he’s very clean.
“But he wasn’t as sharp in what should be his real strength — finding the right space to finish. We had some promising plays but didn’t make the right final choice. Even with a free man, we didn’t pick the best option.”
Yildiz’s Performance
Speaking about the match-winner, Spalletti was full of admiration: “As a coach, before I just watched from the outside and heard people talk. Now that I’m with him, I see everything. Sometimes he moves inside and looks like a second striker, then drifts wide again. He goes where he wants — and that’s fine, because he’s better than anything I could tell him.”
“I place him as a left attacking midfielder so he can do what he likes, a bit here and there, picking up everything. When he plays more centrally, he’s closer to goal, and that’s dangerous because he can turn either way. Out wide, if they don’t double up on him, he beats his man and creates goals. Bit by bit, we’ll see. I’d like him to stay more central because when he faces the goal, the bells start ringing.”
Calm on David
When asked if he was calm about David’s situation, Spalletti smiled: “I think so. Maybe I’m too calm? He’s a very balanced person. Of course, I can’t let everyone play all the time, and I hope that doesn’t bother him. Today he played more because Openda was still a bit tired — travel, previous match, that sort of thing.
“But no one is ever completely happy. You’ve seen great teams and great players, but even up in Bodo everyone struggles! Look at Monaco – they lost there. So bringing home that result was great, then there was the flight delay too.”
Without Vlahović
On attacking options without Vlahović, Spalletti explained: “There are other solutions beyond Openda and David. Both are central strikers, not second forwards. In my view, David links better with the team, while Openda attacks the space behind. One focuses on runs and pace, the other on connecting play.
“If the team creates for them, they’re both capable of scoring because they’ve done it before. Then it’s about levels, character, and confidence. They’re sensitive lads, good guys, and I like to hug them — they need that. They just have to score a few goals quickly, get that rhythm, and then they’ll play with confidence.
“But you have to earn it. Once you understand your role, you take on the right posture and go for it. It’s not enough to do a bit here and there — otherwise doubts will creep in. You need self-belief and, as I say, a bit of guts. Because if you’re timid, others sense it, and then they’ll slap you. If you react instead, they won’t.”
