Juventus men first team don return to Serie A action after international break, and dem go travel go Sardinia to face Cagliari on Matchday 6. The match go kick off 20:45 CEST on Sunday, October 11, and e go see Bianconeri face one of Serie A most in-form teams.
Head coach Luciano Spalletti speak with press to preview the action. The Juventus manager spoke at press conference on eve of Sunday 20:45 match against Cagliari at Unipol Domus. Cagliari manager na Fabio Pisacane, and lineups don announce as players dey warm up. Pisacane set up na 4-3-2-1, while Spalletti Juventus na 4-2-3-1.
Spalletti tok say di break long, and e get pros and cons. He say dem manage di period straightforward, allowing longer rest periods to balance out di many matches wey dem play. According to am, build-up of fatigue and build-up of rest na di only remedy. Dem assess each player individual situation and tailor training programme for those still available.
He add say international players all return with right frame of mind and work well in recent training sessions. Spalletti happy with dia focus, pace and way sessions go. Dem tailor some training loads based on matches players play and when dem return. He say dem satisfied with players available and fitness. Andrea Cambiaso complete all training sessions as required.
On obstacles, Spalletti no mince words. He say obstacles cannot be avoided, and dem mustn’t try to do so; instead dem must overcome them. He call constantly talking about difficulties a waste of time. He say dem happy with squad and go take to pitch with these players to try win match.
Spalletti also warn say sometimes statistics need context because dem can distort reality. He tok say Pisacane and Giulini deserve points dem pick up, but not last year victory. He expect tough match. According to am, Cagliari deliberately give you small space, inviting you to play in dia half, and dem get players capable of turning play around quickly, passing ball well and neutralising counter-attacks.
He note say as in previous years, Cagliari manage get best out of certain players, and this year dem dey do so with Daniel Maldini. Spalletti say Juventus go have to be very good, determined, alert and intense, because if you give Cagliari space, dem know how to make most of am.
On Juventus progress, Spalletti say dem want improve, grow and keep learning. He talk say those who stop learning often end up repeating themselves, while those who seek out new things grow. He say dem dey train well and he no see negatives in dia progress. Hunger always important in football. Love for game must be channelled onto pitch through professional approach and constant drive for performance and results.
He recall say Juventus don win two matches since defeat at Sassuolo, and e no be foregone conclusion say dem go manage am that way. He believe dem dey on right track. Spalletti say dem no interested in being seen as favourites or underestimated. There will never be any respite for those who don make dia choice. Juventus will always be expected to win.
He add say Juventus na dem dey raise bar for dia own ambitions. Dem know dem can hold dia own among that group. Some tip dem for Scudetto while others see dem finishing elsewhere, but Spalletti say dem get highest ambitions. Dem know what stage dem dey right now, and dem no need others to tell dem how far dem can go.
On individual players, Spalletti say Edon Zhegrova be one of those players who could go from substitute to first-team regular. He go assess him playing time and then make decision. He say there are players who immediately show, through dia gaze, determination and desire to take control of dia own future. Nico Gonzalez intense in everything he do and get distinctive, determined look in him eyes that immediately show you path he want take.
Spalletti talk about Randal Kolo Muani. He say dem want give am freedom to play and dem dey encourage am to adopt different approach from traditional centre-forward. Kolo Muani na natural runner, get quality both out wide and in centre, and e good in air, at acrobatic moves and at turning on sixpence. Spalletti rate am very highly. Dem try support am in him choices while at same time show am something new. He don play too much as centre-forward and need move about more to meet demands dem set for am.
On Teun Koopmeiners, Spalletti describe am as versatile player. He get great vision, ability to play unexpected through-balls and create space for teammates. E be like say he dey wear 3D glasses wey allow am see beyond defensive line. He get touch wey give ball rhythm and know how to direct play towards goal. In defence Juventus get Jhon Lucumì, who dey do brilliantly, and Lloyd Kelly, who don get successful spell with dem. Koop na deep-lying playmaker, capable of keeping team moving and taking dem by hand. He probably make few mistakes, but Spalletti always expect am to prove him worth. He say he never lose faith in possibility of seeing Koopmeiners run show for Juventus.
Spalletti also mention Douglas Luiz. He say usually good playmakers na dem no dey drive managers mad, and he get very good playmaker in Douglas Luiz. On Pape Matar Sarr, Spalletti say e be cross between defensive midfielder and attacking midfielder. Sarr get short stride, but when he make run, he cover plenty ground. Him timing spot on and, in terms of playing style, he most similar to Weston McKennie. He cover plenty ground and could be one of those players who go from substitute to first-team regular.
