Luciano Spalletti has placed the focus back on the pitch as Juventus prepare to host Lazio, even while acknowledging that a little tension can sharpen his work. The Juventus coach arrives at the fixture after his confrontation with Cagliari counterpart Fabio Pisacane at the final whistle of the previous trip, but his main concern is how to unsettle a Lazio side he believes has been exceptionally well coached by Rino Gattuso.
“It is not nervousness; it is selective sympathy,” Spalletti said with a smile when asked about his recent touchline episode. He accepted, however, that greater emotional edge can sometimes help him. “Perhaps I have not been tense enough so far. Being under a bit of pressure gives me direction and energy. The players watch everything, including what I do. I would have liked to have a bad temper, but I do not have one.”
Spalletti’s respect for Gattuso’s Lazio
The meeting with Lazio presents Juventus with a demanding test against a team Spalletti sees as reflecting Gattuso’s influence. He described his former international colleague as the outstanding coach of the season to date, praising Lazio’s courage as well as their balance.
“You can see Rino’s work,” Spalletti said. “For me, he has been the best of us so far because his team plays well, plays a lot of football, and does it with courage and balance.”
That assessment also informs Juventus’ attacking choices. Lazio have central defenders standing above 1.90 metres, and Spalletti expects his side to need depth and physical presence rather than simply sending balls into an imposing back line.
Kolo Muani decision shapes Juventus selection
The central selection question concerns Randal Kolo Muani and Nick Woltemade. Spalletti must decide whether to begin with both forwards or use Kolo Muani alone, preserving Woltemade and Nico for possible changes during the match.
His comments suggested that Kolo Muani is more likely to start without Woltemade, with the twin-forward option available later if Juventus need a different kind of impact. Spalletti noted that those three attacking players offer the strongest options from the bench; without them, he could be forced to look to Federico Gatti for added presence.
“That is the dilemma,” Spalletti said. “I need to think carefully about who starts. If I use both of them, I have less possibility to alter things during the game, because Kolo, Woltemade and Nico are the players who can give us that impact. Otherwise, we would have to bring Gatti back into the picture.”
He added that Lazio’s height makes the contest especially difficult. “They have tall central defenders and that physical quality. It is hard to go against them if we do not have it too. We have to look for depth.”
Options returning to the squad
Spalletti also highlighted the promise of Sarr, comparing aspects of the midfielder’s profile to Marcus Thuram. The Juventus coach believes Sarr has yet to show the full range of his ability, including a powerful shot from distance.
“He can do a bit of everything,” Spalletti said. “He has not shown it yet, but he can strike the ball very hard from outside the area. He is a complete player: partly a playmaker, partly a runner into the box and partly a ball-winner.”
There is also encouraging news on Jérémie Boga, who is nearing a return and could be available for around 30 minutes against Lazio.
Spalletti sought to dismiss what he called the outside “quicksand” around Juventus: debate over his support for Kolo Muani, scrutiny of his behaviour, and the interpretation of remarks about placing his career on the line at the club. He insisted that his point was about a longer professional challenge rather than one result.
“When I said I was on Kolo Muani’s bandwagon, I meant that I appreciate him as a person and as a player,” he said. “People have discussed my supposed nervousness and analysed the line about putting the end of my career at stake here. I was not talking about one match. You will see me in press conferences for a long time yet. After Juventus there will be another team, and another one after that. And, as Franco Califano said, I do not rule out a return.”
