{"id":376924,"date":"2025-12-28T22:30:23","date_gmt":"2025-12-28T22:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/376924\/"},"modified":"2025-12-28T22:30:23","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T22:30:23","slug":"go-to-the-bench-spalletti-dismissed-locatelli-following-substitution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/376924\/","title":{"rendered":"“Go to the bench” – Spalletti dismissed Locatelli following substitution"},"content":{"rendered":"

An Italian TV correspondent picked up the brief exchange between Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli and his manager, Luciano Spalletti.<\/p>\n

The Bianconeri made it three on the bounce by prevailing in Pisa on Saturday evening. The home side put on a solid showing and were twice thwarted by the goal frame. However, the visitors eventually took the initiative, scoring two unanswered goals through Pierre Kalulu and Kenan Yildiz<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Many fans and pundits pinpoint Edon Zhegrova\u2019s second-half introduction as the turning point of the match, as Juventus became instantly more dangerous afterwards.<\/p>\n

The Kosovar\u2019s entry came at the expense of a baffled Locatelli, while Teun Koopmeiners dropped back to fill in for the skipper in the Regista role.<\/p>\n

Luciano Spalletti swiftly rebuffed Manuel Locatelli<\/p>\n

While leaving the pitch, the former Sassuolo star approached Spalletti, seeking an explanation for his decision.<\/p>\n

However, the 66-year-old was in no mood to provide justifications, so he swiftly dismissed the midfielder.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on, go to the bench,\u201d said the manager as reported by DAZN\u2019s pitch-side correspondent (via IlBianconero<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\"Manuel<\/a>Manuel Locatelli (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

After the contest, Spalletti mentioned that his decision was influenced by Locatelli\u2019s yellow card, which is why he preferred to keep Koopmeiners on the pitch alongside Khephren Thuram.<\/p>\n

The former Roma and Napoli manager was perhaps too focused on the action on the pitch to spare time for explanations that can be postponed for later.<\/p>\n

Locatelli & Spalletti were already at odds in the national team<\/p>\n

Many things have been said and written about the relationship between Spalletti and Locatelli,<\/a> dating back to their time together in the Italian national team.<\/p>\n

The manager famously omitted the midfielder from the Euro 2024 squad, so many felt that their Juventus reunion would be an awkward one.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, Spalletti has confirmed the 27-year-old as a regular starter, even though he\u2019s urging the management to sign a new midfielder more suitable for the deep-lying playmaker role.<\/p>\n

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\t\tMichel Sakr<\/a><\/p>\n

Michel is a football journalist based in Beirut who has been a die-hard Juventus supporter since 1996. He is a Law graduate and a member of the Beirut Bar Association. In addition to writing for Juve FC, he is also the Head Writer for The Laziali and a Featured Writer on other websites including Stretty News, and The Cult of Calcio.<\/p>\n

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