Luciano Spalletti warns Juventus should ‘rip these areas open’ within the Benfica penalty space and be extra decided in entrance of purpose forward of tonight’s Champions League conflict.
It kicks off on the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
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TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 12: Juventus FC head coach Luciano Spalletti seems to be on throughout the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Cremonese at Allianz Stadium on January 12, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photograph by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Photos)
These two groups had a reasonably related situation in Europe this season, getting off to dismal begins, however then profitable their final two matches in 2025.
The Bianconeri scraped simply three attracts within the opening 4 rounds, whereas Benfica managed to lose their first 4 video games, however then beat Ajax and Napoli by 2-0 outcomes.
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Spalletti takes on Mourinho’s Benfica
SASSUOLO, ITALY – JANUARY 06: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, seems to be on previous to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Juventus FC at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on January 06, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photograph by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Photos)
“I believe we are going to see each groups interact in each phases, attacking and defending,”
“I additionally imagine that if we go away the initiative to them, with their spiderweb of passing, gamers accustomed to transferring the ball in tight areas, forcing us again may create issues.
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“We due to this fact must take extra of the initiative. That doesn’t essentially imply pinning them again into their penalty space, however not permitting them the time and area to manage the tempo.”
BOLOGNA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, seems to be on as he leaves the dugout for half-time throughout the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Juventus FC at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photograph by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Photos)
Dusan Vlahovic and Daniele Rugani are nonetheless on the therapy desk, so Jonathan David is backed to begin but once more fairly than Lois Openda.
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There have definitely been enhancements since transferring to a 4-2-3-1 formation, however , regardless of dominating possession.
“We should proceed to change roles, transfer round, imagining the areas and taking these positions. We should on the similar time additionally keep a stability, as when there are fast counter-attacks, it’s important to get again into place,” famous Spalletti.
“Contained in the penalty space, as we’ve stated many instances, we have to do higher. The penalty space is territory to be conquered, there aren’t any areas open in there, it’s important to rip these areas open and create them.”