{"id":661404,"date":"2026-05-10T07:39:17","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T07:39:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/661404\/"},"modified":"2026-05-10T07:39:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T07:39:17","slug":"cant-change-18-out-of-25-players","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/661404\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Can’t change 18 out of 25 players’"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"LECCE,<\/p>\n

LECCE, ITALY – MAY 09: Head coach of Juventus FC Luciano Spalletti gestures during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Juventus FC at Stadio Via del Mare on May 09, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Luciano Spalletti vented his frustration with Juventus after beating Lecce<\/a>, warning they \u2018don\u2019t have someone else with Dusan Vlahovic\u2019s characteristics\u2019 and yet \u2018we can\u2019t change 18 players.\u2019<\/p>\n

It had seemed like this was going to be a rout when Juve opened the scoring within 12 seconds at the Stadio Via del Mare, as Vlahovic found the net immediately into his first start since November 29.<\/p>\n

However, that proved to ultimately be the only goal, as two others were disallowed for offside, chalked off for Vlahovic and Pierre Kalulu.<\/p>\n

Spalletti frustrated with Juventus mistakes\"LECCE,LECCE, ITALY \u2013 MAY 09: Head coach of Juventus FC Luciano Spalletti smiles during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Juventus FC at Stadio Via del Mare on May 09, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been saying for a while that we keep doing this, we score early and then don\u2019t finish the games off, it\u2019s like a cut and paste of previous mistakes,\u201d Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWe dominate whole areas of games, it seems like we are in total control, and then there are moments of superficiality where we lose our way, misplace passes that are just incredible for the level of football we are playing at.<\/p>\n

\"MILAN,MILAN, ITALY \u2013 APRIL 26: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cWe cannot seem to maintain that concentration, determination and grit for the whole game. Once we make those mistakes, the tension and fear sets in, the match goes back into the balance.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen we get annoyed with ourselves, go and grab the game by the scruff of the neck and put it back on track. A game like this one cannot end 1-0, we barely allowed them to get into our half, there were so many situations where we had two attacking options and always went for the third worst one. That\u2019s just what we are like.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"LECCE,LECCE, ITALY \u2013 MAY 09: Dusan Vlaovic of Juventus FC during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Juventus FC at Stadio Via del Mare on May 09, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Spalletti was visibly fuming on the touchline after certain situations, shouting angrily at his players for not moving the ball around the way he wanted.<\/p>\n

Considering they keep making the same mistakes, will Juventus have to change quite a few of these players, or does he believe they can learn?<\/p>\n

\u201cI had already talked about this in the press conference, really,\u201d replied the coach.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe media act as if we are going to change 18 of the 25 players in the locker room, but you can\u2019t do that. This is a serious project, so that means many of these players have to be involved, because it\u2019s tough right now to change that many.<\/p>\n

\u201cJuventus also spent a fair amount over the last two seasons, so it\u2019s not like they can keep digging into their pockets. There are some situations in football where you need to keep up with the times, but first and foremost these players must grow within themselves,\u201d ranted Spalletti.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey need to realise that many of them will stay here. We missed Vlahovic terribly because we don\u2019t have someone else with his characteristics. A winning team needs a physical, strong centre-forward. Even if he\u2019s not that tall, he still needs to be able to hold off defenders, deal with the physical duel.<\/p>\n

\u201cJonathan David can score goals, but when it comes to the duel, the physical impact, that is where he struggles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"LECCE,LECCE, ITALY \u2013 MAY 09: Head coach of Juventus FC Luciano Spalletti during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Juventus FC at Stadio Via del Mare on May 09, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

So can these players remove the dips in concentration?<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is not easy. Staying on their toes for long periods is to do with the determination and character of these players. Those players who are creative and can take men on are unfortunately also the same ones who need to take a breather and charge themselves up before sparkling. They just are,\u201d shrugged Spalletti.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe still have to work on it and train that. This evening, the team played well in so many ways, but if Di Gregorio didn\u2019t make those two big saves, it would be a different result. We have got to build out better from the back, absolutely, that is something we simply must improve.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, it\u2019s different when you\u2019ve got Vlahovic, because he has different characteristics to the other strikers in the squad. Last time there was talk of the quality midfielder, but the one who translates the pass from the back into an attacking situation, we are missing that figure a little.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said the other day we need a bus with two levels, because for all the players that people say we\u2019re going to buy, there won\u2019t be enough room on one bus,\u201d concluded Spalletti.<\/p>\n

\"LECCE,LECCE, ITALY \u2013 MAY 09: Pierre Kalulu of Juventus FC during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Juventus FC at Stadio Via del Mare on May 09, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The 1-0 victory still provides a huge boost for Juve\u2019s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, as they temporarily surpass Milan in third ahead of their match with Atalanta on Sunday, and break away from Roma.<\/p>\n


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