Luciano Spalletti has given his pre-match ideas forward of Juventus’s Champions League play-off spherical first leg towards Galatasaray on Tuesday night, has mirrored on the controversial Derby d’Italia from Saturday evening and has hinted at who may play at centre-forward for the Bianconeri in Istanbul.
Juventus completed the league section in thirteenth place within the Champions League desk, three factors shy of a spot within the prime eight. Because of this they must play towards Galatasaray over two legs to be able to qualify for a spot within the spherical of 16.
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The Bianconeri will tackle a Galatasaray facet that includes the likes of Victor Osimhen, Mauro Icardi and Noa Lang in Istanbul on Tuesday night earlier than internet hosting the return leg on the Allianz Stadium subsequent Wednesday, February 25.
Spalletti on Juventus vs. Galatasaray: ‘We wish to attempt to win’
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, appears on previous to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photos)
Juventus have been linked with strikes for each of Galatasaray’s strikers, Icardi and Osimhen, over the past two switch home windows. Spalletti was requested which striker he would ‘desire’ to have at his disposal.
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“I don’t know who I desire inside my very own workforce, I can’t think about what my colleagues need to do,” he replied (through ).
“For me, they’re each very robust gamers with completely different traits, and collectively, their traits may make up the encyclopaedia of being a no.9.
“They’re two strikers who know the way to transfer inside the realm, one creates chaos and the opposite is aware of the way to capitalise on the chaos. We have now to provide them the ball as little as attainable and hold it ourselves.”
And on the significance of tomorrow’s match, Spalletti stated: “When it’s a double-header, each matches are essential. Any hesitation can price dearly. I’m pleased with the response they confirmed in Milan and I wouldn’t change my workforce for anybody on the earth.
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“We have now to play as a workforce and never undergo from the opponent’s stress, play our soccer.”
Jonathan David, Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadsiuz Milik are all unavailable for the Galatasaray match, so Spalletti was requested whether or not there may very well be a possibility for Lois Openda on Tuesday evening.
He replied: “This is usually a turning level for anybody. Openda has already had alternatives and others can have them. We’ll see about how and when collectively.”
SASSUOLO, ITALY – JANUARY 06: Loïs Openda of Juventus throughout the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Juventus FC at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on January 06, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Picture by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Photos)
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Spalleti was then requested whether or not the in-form Weston McKennie, recognized for his versatility, is among the many choices to play at centre-forward.
He stated: “I’m satisfied that he’s already proven it. He’s a participant who has the traits to play together with his again to objective and in addition is aware of the way to flip issues round in a brief area of time as a result of he’s quick and technical.
“He’s proven all the things, and we’ve had all of the attainable issues which have led him to going from a right-back to a left winger. His willingness to assist his teammates is an instance for everybody.”
And on the remainder of the squad, Spalletti added: “I don’t know as a result of we’ve had one coaching session and we received’t practice earlier than tomorrow evening. We have now to judge Thuram and there are another conditions that we’re carrying.
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“The gamers need to get better and now we have no different alternative. Doing the identical issues repetitively is tiring on the thoughts as effectively.”
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 21: Gamers of Juventus pose for a workforce group picture previous to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD7 match between Juventus and SL Benfica at Juventus Stadium on January 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Picture by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Photos)
And giving his evaluation of Galatasaray, Spalletti stated: “We have now to be prepared for Galatasaray’s picks. We’re anticipating selections that can create confusion and chaos. We have now to attempt to play our sport and we will’t be intimidated by their ferocity.”
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And when requested if a victory away in Istanbul can be ‘sufficient’ for Juventus to qualify for the Champions League spherical of 16, Spalletti stated: “We all know the difficulties we’re dealing with as a result of we’ve watched Galatasaray’s video games. They’re a robust workforce and we’ve come right here deserving to play this sport.
“We’re pleased to play towards opponents like this. We’ll attempt to play the sport within the right method and we are going to see what degree of high quality we’re at, as a result of these stadiums present you what psychological energy you have to have as effectively. We don’t wish to disguise, we wish to play the sport and attempt to win.”
Spalletti on Inter vs. Juventus controversy
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Pierre Kalulu of Juventus reacts as he walks off after being despatched off by Referee Federico La Penna (not pictured) for a second yellow card offence throughout the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photos)
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Spalletti was given the chance to share his ideas after the between Inter and Juventus from Saturday evening. The Bianconeri had been on the shedding facet of a 3-2 scoreline, and had been left livid after Pierre Kalulu was wrongfully despatched off after a dive by Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni.
Spalletti gave his ideas on the matter, the post-match feedback made by Cristian Chivu, the response to Bastoni’s dive and what Juventus need to do to fight diving within the sport.
“I don’t wish to converse over the phrases of Elkann and the administrators. I can say that Pierre is an efficient man, a good individual and the truth that he needed to take a dig from an opposition coach is one thing I by no means anticipated.
“This is able to put me ready to speak about Inter’s gamers and I don’t wish to try this.
MONZA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 04: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, gestures throughout the Coppa Italia Quarter-Last match between FC Internazionale and Torino at U-Energy Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Monza, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photos)
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“Simulation is an offence to soccer and what I’ve to do is increase the workforce to a degree the place simulation doesn’t permit others to find out video games for us. What occurs isn’t essential, however what you do when one thing occurs to you is. We wanted to reverse the scenario.
“We have now to enhance if we don’t wish to concede that objective there, and we wished to go and rating once more instantly afterwards. These are checks of maturity. Tomorrow can be a check of our maturity.”
There have been some calls after the Inter vs. Juventus match that Bastoni must be dropped from the Italy nationwide workforce squad on account of his unsportsmanlike behaviour.
As the previous head coach of the Italy nationwide workforce, Spalletti was requested for his opinion on that thought.
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He got here out in defence of Bastoni, arguing that it will not be the appropriate determination to drop him from the Italy squad: “Completely, Gattuso needs to be free to name up whoever he desires. Sadly, I’m now not CT and I’ll go away that scenario with him. We have now a robust coach, now we have to depart him to be free to do what he desires.”
