JUVENTUS SEASON 2025-2026

[Socrates 9537]

Triple headache for Spalletti as three Juventus players doubtful for Pisa trip

 

 

Juventus could head towards Pisa with a depleted squad, as three important players could be unavailable.

 

After beating their direct Champions League rivals Bologna and Roma in back-to-back contests, the morale at Continassa is sky high. Nevertheless, a slip-up against the newly-promoted side would halt the team’s momentum. ............

 

On Sunday, Juventus released a statement confirming that Daniele Rugani suffered a medium-grade muscle injury during Saturday’s win over Roma. Therefore, the Italian defender has been ruled out of action for several weeks.

 

On the other hand, the same note revealed that Francisco Conceicao and Weston McKennie avoided injuries.

 

But the Portuguese winger and the versatile Texan remain doubtful for the trip to Pisa.

 

As the source explains, the two stars will be closely monitored throughout the week. Based on their conditions, Spalletti will decide whether to include them in the travelling party or leave them in Turin.

 

In addition to Conceicao and McKennie, the Turin-based newspaper also sheds some light on Juan Cabal, who missed the previous contest against Roma due to muscle fatigue. ............

 

On the contrary, barring any surprises, Gleison Bremer will be available to start in Pisa.

 

The defender made his first start in three months last weekend, but had to leave the pitch after 60 minutes due to physical discomfort. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/conceicao-mckennie-cabal-pisa-juventus/

[Socrates 9537]

Why Openda could be dropped from Juventus lineup against Pisa

 

 

Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti could decide to omit Lois Openda from the starting lineup against Pisa, despite his recent exploits.

 

When the Tuscan manager first arrived in Turin, he immediately identified Dusan Vlahovic as his first choice for the centre-forward role. But with the Serbian out with an injury until the spring, Openda and Jonathan David have been vying for a starting berth. ............

 

When Vlahovic was first ruled out of action, Spalletti initially handed the reins to David. However, Openda enjoyed an impactful cameo at the Renato Dall’Ara nine days ago, forcing Torbjorn Heggem to commit a foul that earned him a red card.

 

Therefore, the manager decided to entrust the former RB Leipzig man with a starting role against Roma last weekend, and the latter delivered the goods once more. Aside from poaching Juve’s second goal, his pace and movement caused a sea of troubles for the Giallorossi defenders.

 

And yet, Spalletti could drop Openda in favour of David in the last Juventus game of the year. ............

 

The 66-year-old had already highlighted the difference between his two available strikers.

 

While Openda can be deadly against attacking-minded clubs that leave spaces at the back, David could prove more useful against compact defences, which is what Juventus can expect when they are hosted by Alberto Gilardino’s side this Saturday.

 

So while the Canadian should get the nod from the start, the Belgian could enter the pitch in the final 30 minutes when the opposition’s defensive lines could become more stretched out. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/why-openda-could-be-dropped-from-juventus-lineup-against-pisa/

[Socrates 9537]

Capello analyses Juventus, Inter, Milan, Napoli and Roma Scudetto chances

 

 

Fabio Capello believes that it is a genuine five-horse race for the Serie A title this season, but believes that all of Juventus, Inter, Milan, Napoli and Roma have room for improvement if they are to claim the 2025-26 Scudetto. ............

 

Four points separates five teams at the top of the Serie A standings heading into the Christmas period. It’s an entertaining and satisfying table for the neutral, with Inter on 33 points, Milan on 32, Napoli on 31, Roma on 30 and Juventus on 29. ............

 

Capello said: “I don’t see anyone breaking away at the moment. They all score points, they all occasionally slow down. Milan and Roma were in the lead, now Inter and Napoli are back up there, Juve are seriously getting back into the frame.”

 

Does he see Juventus as worthy title challengers this season?

 

“Their season certainly isn’t over. They’ve got a run of forms that could bring them 12 points in their next few games,” he said. ............

 

And on Spalletti, Capello said: “He’s found the right players to play in many positions. He’s rediscovered that determination and aggressiveness that had disappeared. And Juve are one of the few Italian sides who can take players on and create a numerical superiority: Yildiz, Conceicao, Zhegrova, they often put rivals in trouble.”

 

Does he feel that Juventus are genuine Scudetto contenders this season?

 

“Juve are there, they could make up the gap, and they still have direct clashes left to play,” Capello answered. ............

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/capello-analyses-2025-26-scudetto-chances/

 

Modificato Mercoledì alle 10:39 da Socrates

[Socrates 9537]

Bonucci predicts if Juventus can win the Scudetto

 

 

 

Juventus have shown encouraging form in recent weeks, and the Bianconeri are likely closer to the top of the Serie A table than they might publicly admit. Despite past struggles, the team under Luciano Spalletti have improved significantly, demonstrating a renewed focus and consistency that had been lacking in previous months. The players at the Allianz Stadium are aware that no club can afford to rest on its laurels, and maintaining intensity and concentration in each match remains essential.

 

Spalletti’s impact has been particularly noticeable in how Juventus approaches games. The team now works diligently throughout matches, often securing results they might have lost in earlier campaigns. ............

 

While Napoli and Inter Milan are widely regarded as the primary contenders for the Scudetto this season, Juventus’ resurgence means they cannot be discounted entirely. The consistency they have shown in recent weeks positions them as a team capable of competing at the highest level. Their improved performances suggest that, with continued focus, they could remain in the title conversation as the season progresses.

 

Former Juventus captain Leonardo Bonucci has commented on the club’s prospects. He said, “Juventus, the Scudetto winners? Well, with Spalletti, they’re starting to do what they’re supposed to do, which is win games, but Napoli, Inter, and Milan are proving to be great teams. It’ll be a great championship.” ............

 

Bonucci’s remarks highlight both the optimism within the squad and the recognition of the strength of their rivals. Juventus have found a level of stability under Spalletti that allows it to challenge effectively, but the competition at the top remains fierce. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/bonucci-predicts-if-juventus-can-win-the-scudetto/

[Socrates 9537]

Gigi Maifredi says Juventus has the strongest attack in the league

 

 

 

Despite failing to sell Dusan Vlahovic in the summer, Juventus still managed to strengthen their forward line by signing Lois Openda and Jonathan David, creating an attack that many rival clubs would admire. On paper, the additions gave Juventus significant depth and quality in the final third, raising expectations ahead of the new season. However, as the campaign has progressed, those expectations have not yet been fully met. ............

 

There is confidence within the club that improvement will continue under Luciano Spalletti. The head coach is widely regarded as doing a strong job since taking charge, and he appears to be gradually getting more out of the squad. Juventus have shown better balance in their performances in recent weeks, with a clearer structure and greater cohesion between defence, midfield, and attack.

 

Spalletti’s influence has helped Juventus compete more effectively, even when individual players have not been at their best. The team have begun to show resilience and organisation, qualities that are essential as the season enters a more demanding phase. While challenges remain, the squad has the experience and quality required to handle them. ............

 

One area that continues to attract criticism is the attack, with strikers yet to deliver the expected goal return. However, former coach Gigi Maifredi has offered a different perspective. He said, “Juve have incredible human and technical potential. They have the strongest attack in the league. Without Vlahovic, it’s clear that something is missing, but the players Juve have acquired are important. Their lack of performance depends on many factors, but results lead to improvement. Bremer’s recovery has made this team important, as it was on paper.” ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/gigi-maifredi-says-juventus-has-the-strongest-attack-in-the-league/

[Socrates 9537]

Preview: Pisa vs Juventus - prediction, team news, lineups

 

 

Putting the full stop on a troubled year, fallen giants Juventus aim to extend their revival when visiting Pisa on Saturday evening.

 

Following two big wins in Serie A and another in Europe, Juve will try to sign off 2025 in style with their fourth straight success.

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Match preview

Towards the end of another sub-par year, marked by more chaos from the boardroom down, Juventus have shown signs of rejuvenation under new coach Luciano Spalletti.

 

While he initially made an uncertain start, the former Italy manager has averaged two points per game since taking the reins from Igor Tudor, whose rate was a more modest 1.50.

 

For the second week running, Juve conquered a top-four rival last time out, following up their close-fought win in Bologna by beating Roma in Turin.

 

Francisco Conceicao broke the deadlock before Lois Openda finally netted his first Serie A goal, as the Bianconeri saw off Spalletti's old club.

 

A 2-1 win was their sixth from seven games - one more than throughout the previous 16, when they were plagued by persistent draws - including two vital victories in the Champions League.

 

As a result, Juventus have inched closer to the knockout phase of Europe's top competition, while climbing the Serie A standings and reaching the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.

 

Now occupying fifth place, they are just four points behind league leaders Inter Milan so cannot be entirely ruled out of the Scudetto race.

 

Given such improvement, another victory is expected this weekend. Down the decades, Juve have never lost a top-flight game against Pisa, winning 10 of 14 meetings so far. ............

 

As Pisa have posted just one win and one goal at Arena Garibaldi since gaining promotion, overcoming Juventus will pose a particularly tough task.

 

Pisa Serie A form:

W D L L L D

 

Juventus Serie A form:

D D W L W W

Juventus form (all competitions):

W W L W W W

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Team News

Juve's defensive crisis shows no signs of abating, as centre-back Daniele Rugani is now facing a spell on the sidelines, having just returned to action.

 

Against Roma, the ex-Ajax man made his first appearance since early November, replacing Brazil international Bremer, who has been on the treatment table for much of this season and last.

 

With Federico Gatti also unavailable, Spalletti has few fit options to fill his back three, albeit midfielder Teun Koopmeiners has been used there in recent weeks - the latter returns after serving a suspension last week.

 

Once again, chief creator Kenan Yildiz is set to support a lone striker: with Dusan Vlahovic out of action, Openda should beat Jonathan David to selection. ............

 

Pisa possible starting lineup:

Semper; Canestrelli, Caracciolo, Bonfanti; Toure, Vural, Piccinini, Aebischer, Angori; Tramoni, Meister

 

Juventus possible starting lineup:

Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly; McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Openda

 

 

 

We say: Pisa 0-2 Juventus

In light of Juve's recent upturn and Pisa's dismal home record, surely the visitors will end 2025 with a win.

 

Spalletti's side have found some sorely-missed cohesion, while their hosts look set for a short stay in Serie A.

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Read more -> https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/pisa/preview/pisa-vs-juventus-prediction-team-news-lineups_588388.html

[Socrates 9537]

What can Juventus still achieve this season?

 

 

 

Juventus started this season with a chance to win three trophies, as they were competing in the Champions League, Serie A and the Coppa Italia. As one of the world’s largest clubs, the Bianconeri are expected to strive for success in every competition they enter, and this ambition shapes the mindset of both the players and their supporters. This expectation explains why the fan base is often confident that trophies are achievable whenever Juventus are involved in a major challenge.

 

That optimism, however, began to fade as the campaign progressed. As the season started to unravel under Igor Tudor, it became increasingly unlikely that Juventus would secure any silverware before the end of the term. ............

 

When Luciano Spalletti was appointed as manager, the immediate objective appeared to be far more modest. The men in black and white were primarily focused on securing a place among the leading teams in the league rather than mounting serious trophy challenges. At that stage, stability and recovery were seen as more important than ambition.

 

However, that outlook has since evolved. Juventus possess some of the finest players in their squad, and Spalletti has helped restore belief within the group. His influence has encouraged the players to think beyond recent disappointments and consider the possibility of achieving more than they have managed in the last few seasons. ............

 

Juventus have won only the Coppa Italia since the 2021/2022 season, a record that reflects a period of relative underachievement for a club of their stature. This context makes the current campaign particularly important, as questions remain about what they can realistically win this term.

 

If Juventus maintain their current form, there is a sense that they could challenge for the league title. However, one outcome appears far more certain. The Coppa Italia represents a genuine opportunity for success, especially given the seriousness with which Spalletti is approaching the competition. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/what-can-juventus-still-achieve-this-season/

 

Modificato Venerdì alle 21:13 da Socrates

[Socrates 9537]

The second half of the season will define Juventus campaign more than any other time

 

 

 

Juventus have picked up good form in recent weeks, with the players appearing to fully buy into what Luciano Spalletti has been communicating since his arrival. The improvement has been noticeable, particularly given the difficult circumstances surrounding his appointment. Spalletti joined the club after the season was already underway and without the benefit of a full pre-season to properly assess his squad or implement his ideas in detail.

 

Despite those limitations, he has managed to maximise the time available on the training ground and has quickly established a clearer structure and identity. ............

 

Juventus already possess some of the finest players in Italy, and Spalletti’s influence is helping them perform closer to their true level. As he continues to understand their strengths and limitations, there is an expectation that he will extract even more value from the group. This growing familiarity between coach and players suggests that the team’s upward trajectory is sustainable rather than temporary.

 

With that in mind, it is reasonable to predict a strong second half of the season for Juventus. Importantly, this improvement does not necessarily depend on new signings in the January transfer window. ............

 

Spalletti is demonstrating that he understands how to keep players focused and motivated over long periods. His experience at the highest level is evident in how Juventus have responded to setbacks and maintained intensity across recent matches. That ability to manage momentum will be critical as the season progresses and pressure increases.

 

If the manager continues to meet expectations and the current trend holds, Juventus should remain competitive until the end of the campaign. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/the-second-half-of-the-season-will-define-juventus-campaign-more-than-any-other-time/

[Socrates 9537]

Pisa SC vs Juventus: Preview and Prediction

 

 

Juventus arrive in Tuscany on Saturday evening with momentum finally back on their side, looking to close the year on a high after months of uncertainty and internal recalibration. Once drifting dangerously between ambition and underachievement, the Bianconeri now sense an opportunity to turn recovery into real momentum as they face a Pisa side battling for survival.

 

What was once a turbulent campaign is slowly beginning to resemble a revival. Since the managerial change earlier in the season, Juventus have rediscovered rhythm and resilience, stringing together a run that suggests stability is returning to Turin.

 

The early weeks under new leadership were uneven, but recent results point to a clear upward trend. Juventus have now won three consecutive matches across all competitions, including two statement victories in Serie A that have re-established their credentials among Italy’s elite.

 

Back-to-back league wins over direct rivals have underlined their resurgence. Most recently, they followed up a gritty success in Bologna with a composed victory over Roma in Turin, a match in which they combined defensive discipline with clinical attacking play. Goals from Francisco Conceicao and Lois Openda sealed the win, with the latter finally opening his Serie A account in emphatic fashion.

 

That victory marked their sixth win in seven matches across all competitions, a sharp contrast to the frustrating run of draws that had previously stalled their progress. The turnaround has also boosted their European campaign, where qualification for the knockout stages now appears increasingly likely.

 

Juventus currently sit fifth in the league table, just four points behind leaders Inter Milan. While the Scudetto race remains crowded, the Bianconeri are once again close enough to apply pressure, especially if their momentum continues through the festive period.

 

History offers little comfort to Pisa ahead of this encounter. The Tuscan side have never beaten Juventus in top-flight competition, failing to do so in 14 previous meetings. Their last home clash against the Turin giants dates back more than three decades, when Roberto Baggio and Pierluigi Casiraghi inspired a dominant 5-1 Juventus victory. ............

Team News & Tactics

Pisa SC

 ............

 

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Semper; Canestrelli, Caracciolo, Bonfanti; Toure, Vural, Piccinini, Aebischer, Angori; Tramoni, Meister

Juventus

Juventus travel to Pisa with growing confidence, buoyed by a recent upturn in results and increasing tactical clarity under their new leadership. Unlike their hosts, the Bianconeri are not dealing with significant international absences, but they do remain without a couple of key squad members due to injury.

 

Recent weeks have seen Juventus grow more compact and assertive, particularly in central areas, with the midfield unit offering greater protection to the back line. That structural improvement has allowed the attacking players greater freedom, leading to a notable increase in chance creation and goal output.

 

Juventus are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 system, a shape that has brought balance between defensive security and attacking fluidity. Michele Di Gregorio is set to start in goal, providing calm distribution and reliability between the posts.

 

The back three should consist of Pierre Kalulu, Gleison Bremer, and Lloyd Kelly. Bremer anchors the defence centrally, using his physical presence and aerial dominance, while Kalulu and Kelly provide mobility and cover on either side, allowing Juventus to defend wide spaces effectively.

 

Across midfield, Weston McKennie is expected to operate on the right flank, offering energy, pressing, and late runs into the box, while Andrea Cambiaso fills the left-sided role, tasked with providing width and support in advanced areas.

 

In the central midfield pairing, Manuel Locatelli will dictate tempo from deep, supported by Khephren Thuram, whose ball-carrying ability and physical presence help drive Juventus forward through transitions.

 

Ahead of them, Francisco Conceicao and Kenan Yildiz are likely to operate as the two attacking midfielders, drifting between the lines and linking play with the lone striker. Their movement is key to unsettling defensive blocks and creating overloads in central areas. Leading the line, Openda is expected to spearhead the attack. His pace, pressing intensity, and willingness to run in behind give Juventus a constant threat, particularly on the counter-attack.

 

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly; McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Openda

Key Stats

• Juventus are unbeaten in their last 14 top-flight meetings with Pisa, winning 10 of those encounters and drawing the remaining four, underlining a historically dominant head-to-head record.
• Pisa have scored just one home goal since returning to Serie A, highlighting their struggles at the Arena Garibaldi despite competitive performances.
• Juventus have won six of their last seven matches across all competitions, collecting more victories in that stretch than they managed across the previous 16 fixtures combined.
• The Bianconeri have conceded fewer than one goal per game over their last eight matches.
• Pisa have taken just one point from their last four league fixtures, while Juventus have collected 18 points from the same period.

Player to Watch

Jonathan David

Although not always the headline name, Jonathan David remains one of the most intelligent and efficient forwards in European football, and his presence could prove decisive in this encounter. The Canadian international thrives on movement rather than physical dominance, constantly finding pockets of space between defensive lines and punishing even the slightest lapse in concentration.

 

David’s greatest strength lies in his timing. He excels at arriving late into dangerous areas, often ghosting between centre-backs or drifting into channels where defenders lose track of him. This makes him particularly dangerous against teams that defend deep but lose structure during transitions, a scenario that Pisa have struggled with throughout the season.

 

What also elevates David’s threat is his ability to contribute beyond goals. He links play intelligently, presses from the front with discipline, and creates space for teammates through unselfish movement. Against a Pisa backline that has shown vulnerability when pulled out of shape, his mobility and sharp decision-making could be decisive. ............

Prediction

Pisa SC 0-2 Juventus

Juventus arrive with momentum, structure, and far greater clarity in their play, while Pisa continue to struggle for consistency and goals, particularly at home. The contrast in squad depth, tactical discipline, and confidence is difficult to ignore, especially given Juventus’ recent defensive solidity and growing efficiency in front of goal.

 

Pisa may show early resistance and energy, but sustaining that intensity over 90 minutes against a side as composed as Juventus will be a significant challenge. Once the visitors settle into their rhythm, their superior movement and control in midfield should begin to tell.

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Read more -> https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2025/12/26/pisa-sc-vs-juventus-preview-and-prediction/

[Socrates 9537]

Round 17: Pisa vs. Juventus match preview

 

 

Just like that, we’re down to the final 90 minutes of Juventus football for the 2025 calendar year. It’s been quite the eventful year — which is not news to anybody who has even casually followed the happenings surrounding this squad, who has coached it and who has been there to try and assemble a winning roster. But as 2025 comes to a close, there’s something that might be a different kind of feeling starting to grow at Continassa. ............

 

As Juventus get set to head to Pisa for the final fixture of 2025, Luciano Spalletti and Co. have built what feels a decent amount of positive momentum after big wins over Bologna and then Roma. Those are two wins against teams in front of them in the Serie A standings that have gotten Juve right back into the mix in the race for the top four. With last Saturday’s win over Roma, Juventus are now all of one point behind the team they beat in their final home fixture of 2025. And if things fall in the right kind of way this coming weekend, then Juventus could very well finish the calendar year in 2025 as a much more favorable schedule arrives before some huge fixtures both domestically and in Europe toward the end of January.

 

But to get the chance to say that, Juve need to take care of business against a Pisa side that has just one win to their name this season.

Then again, the last time we saw Juventus face a team like that was right after the final international break of 2025, and we all know how that turned out when Juventus faced Fiorentina at the Franchi. ............

 

But Pisa are far from that level, and if not for Fiorentina’s massive struggles this season they would be sitting at the bottom of the league table. It’s to the point where the speculation about just how much longer Alberto Gilardino — who took over for former Italian national team teammate Pippo Inzaghi after he got the club promoted and decided to head to Palermo — actually has on the job if this current run of form continues into the new year.

 

They’ve got the worst goal differential in the league. They’ve got the third-worst attack in Serie A, scoring just 12 goals in their first 16 games of the season. In their last five games since their only win of the season, they’ve allowed eight goals and only picked up two points. (Ironically, one of those two draws came against Sassuolo).

 

In short, this is the definition of a game in which Juventus just need to take care of business against a provincial side this weekend. Plus, with the way the schedule is this weekend, Juve will be the only one of the teams in the top five playing on Saturday, so they’ll be able to sit back Sunday and Monday and potentially see those four teams in front of them drop points and have things become even more crowded.

Which is saying something considering the simple fact there’s only four points between Juventus in fifth and Inter Milan at the top of the table (and with a game in hand).

 

Regardless of what the standings look like, this is Spalletti’s chance to truly continue to build off the recent results and performances and go into the new year feeling pretty good about where this team is at. The win over Roma was the kind of result in which it left Spalletti saying the following afterward: “Winning while learning something new is a double leap in knowledge. It’s victories that give you confidence and teach you something.”

 

The confidence of this team certainly does appear to be growing — especially when you can imagine where it was at when Spalletti first showed up in late-October.

 

Now it’s all about taking it into 2026. A win over Pisa — and maybe even one by a few goals! — will certainly be able to carry things over into the new year and continue this push for a spot in the top four.

 

TEAM NEWS

• Spalletti did not hold a pre-match press conference on Friday so it’s still somewhat unsure where some players are at in terms of their availability for the trip to Pisa.
• That said, we do know this when it comes to Friday training at Continassa: Weston McKennie will be available after his visit to J Medical coming out of the win over Roma. The same is maybe not so set in stone when it comes to Francisco Conceição and Juan Cabal, with both players training separately ahead of departure to Tuscany.
• Teun Koopmeiners will return to the squad after serving a one-match ban due to yellow card accumulation during Juventus’ win over Roma this past weekend.
• That’s an important note because Daniele Rugani — who came on for the final half-hour of Juve’s win over Roma — will be out for at least a month due to a muscle injury in his right leg. Rugani’s agent has subsequently said that the Italian center back played through the pain in the final minutes against Roma. ............

 

JUVENTUS PLAYER TO WATCH

As I logged on this morning to finish up this piece, I noticed that the predicted lineups were not expecting the player I wanted to go with here to actually be in the starting lineup against Pisa. So, because of that, we’re going purely off predicted lineup vibes, and that means the Plan B pick gets moved up a position. ............

 

 

Yes, the predicted lineups don’t have Loïs Openda in the starting lineup. Instead, it could very well end up being Jonathan David up front against a team in which Juventus are much likely to have a ton of possession against, which could very well render some of the speed that Openda brings to the table rather limiting. But since we’ve talked plenty about David over the last month or so, then we’re going with the fellow member of CONCACAF.

 

Yes, we’re talking Weston McKennie, a player who is playing quite well.

 

The American midfielder-turned-wingback has been a strong performer of late under Spalletti, a manager who has clearly unlocked something in him that Igor Tudor wasn’t able to during the first couple of months of the season. ............

 

The thing about McKennie is that this has become the latest act in a story at Juventus that we’re all well aware of at this point. There’s no need to rehash it, but it’s important to note that he is essentially playing for his next contract right now. That is a big deal, and especially for a player who has found a manager who can get the best out of him again and is giving him some continuity after so many months of just being moved around the field from week to week. No matter how versatile he is, that has to help him at least find some sort of comfort level.

 

And it’s clearly paying off.

 

As we head into the final days of 2025, McKennie is very much playing his best ball of the season. In his last four appearances (all starts), McKennie has a goal and two assists, and that most recent assist could very well have been a goal if not for a very good Mile Svilar save. This is what McKennie can do at his best — and I feel safe in saying we’re starting to see his best again under Spalletti. ............

 

 

MATCH INFO

When: Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025.

Where: Stadio Romeo Anconetani, Pisa, Italy.

Official kickoff time: 8:45 p.m. local time in Italy and across Europe, 7:45 p.m. in the United Kingdom, 2:45 p.m. Eastern time, 1:45 p.m. Central time, 11:45 a.m. Pacific time. ............

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Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/previews-reviews/34837/pisa-juventus-2025-serie-a-matchday-17-preview-team-news-schedule-how-to-watch

[Socrates 9537]

Serie A: Pisa vs. Juventus – Probable line-ups

 

 

 

Serie A action returns on Saturday and is headlined by Juventus’s away trip to Pisa, where Luciano Spalletti and his team will have an opportunity to lift themselves into the top four. Here is a look at how today’s teams could line up.

 

Pisa drew 2-2 away against Cagliari last time out in Serie A, and pre-match reports suggest that Alberto Gilardino will stick with the same starting XI. ............

 

Juventus picked up a massively important 2-1 win over Roma last weekend, but lost goalscorer Francesco Conceicao in the process. He and Juan Cabal are expected to be unavailable against Pisa, along with Dusan Vlahovic, Federico Gatti and Daniele Rugani. ............

 

Weston McKennie had also been a doubt earlier this week, but has since returned to training and is expected to be part of the Bianconeri matchday squad.

 

With no Rugani or Gatti in defence, Spalletti is likely to go with a back three of Pierre Kalulu, Gleison Bremer and Teun Koopmeiners again. Sky Sport Italia suggests that it will be either McKennie or Fabio Miretti to start in the advanced midfield role alongside Kenan Yildiz in the absence of Conceicao.

 

Lois Openda was on the scoresheet against Roma last time out, but Jonathan David is still in contention to keep hold of his starting spot.

 

Kick-off is due at 19.45 GMT. ............

 

Pisa (3-5-2): Semper; Canestrelli, Caracciolo, Bonfanti; Toure, Piccinini, Aebischer, Hojholt, Angori; Meister, Tramoni.

Juventus (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Koopmeiners; Cambiaso, Locatelli, Thuram, Kostic; McKennie, Yildiz; David. ............

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/serie-a-pisa-vs-juventus-probable-line-ups/

 

Modificato ieri alle 10:33 da Socrates

[Socrates 9537]

Preview: Pisa vs Juventus

 

 

 

 

Following the victory over Roma on Matchday 16, the Juventus Men's First Team are on the road to face Pisa on Matchday 17 of the Serie A season.

 

The Tuscan side sit in the relegation zone heading into the match.

 

Let’s get up to speed ahead of Saturday evening’s 20:45 CET kick-off. ............

• Only against Cremonese (17) and Piacenza (16) have Juventus played more matches in the top flight without ever suffering a defeat than against Pisa (14, 10W, 4D).

• All of the last nine matches between these two teams in Serie A have seen both sides score, with 37 goals in total, an average of over four per match.

• The last Serie A match between these two teams in Pisa ended 1-5 on 13 January 1991: Pierluigi Casiraghi scored a hat-trick and Roberto Baggio scored twice (the last Juventus player to score away against Pisa in the top flight). Diego Simeone, the current coach of Atletico Madrid, scored for the Tuscan side in that match.

• After scoring only three goals in their first five away games against Pisa in Serie A, Juventus have scored nine goals in their last two; the Tuscan side have never scored more than one goal in these seven games.

• Pierre Kalulu is one of five outfield players to have played the most minutes in Serie A this season. He has played 1,440 minutes, and is joined in the top five by Pisa player Simone Canestrelli.

• Among the players who have played at least 270 minutes in Serie A this season, Manuel Locatelli is the one who touches the ball the most on average per 90 minutes (95); in addition, Locatelli is second only to Luka Modric (970) for successful passes (933). ............

Opposition Focus

• Pisa have failed to score in nine matches in this league season, with only Wolverhampton Wanderers (10) and Real Oviedo (13) performing worse in the five major European leagues currently underway.

• Pisa have scored just one goal at home in this league season, fewer than any other team in the five major European leagues and their respective second divisions in 2025/26. ............

Read more -> https://www.juventus.com/en/news/articles/preview-pisa-vs-juventus-26-12-25

[Socrates 9537]

[Socrates 9537]

[Socrates 9537]

[Socrates 9537]

Serie A | Pisa 0-2 Juventus: Kalulu and Kenan Yildiz prove clinical

 

 

 

Pisa were unlucky when hitting the woodwork twice before Juventus scored late on with Pierre Kalulu and Kenan Yildiz tap-ins to secure a 2-0 victory.

 

The Bianconeri were brimming with confidence after six wins in their last seven competitive games, including back-to-back success over Bologna and Roma. ............

 

Adrian Semper stuck out a boot to push Weston McKennie’s effort onto the side-netting, while Kenan Yildiz’s right-foot curler flashed just past the far top corner and Antonio Caracciolo sprinted back to deflect the Koopmeiners counter-attack wide after Isak Vural slipped. ............

 

After the restart, Samuele Angori’s flicked on free kick was deflected just wide of the far top corner, while Manuel Locatelli’s long-range strike was straight at Semper. ............

 

Pisa thumped the frame of the goal for a second time on the hour mark, Tramoni’s header hitting the base of the near post on a Mehdi Leris cross from the right.

 

Juventus also rattled the woodwork, as Lloyd Kelly’s angled drive hit the near stick from 10 yards.

 

The Bianconeri started to swarm with the introduction of Edon Zhegrova, and he was part of the move to open the scoring. They spread it down the left with a McKennie roll across as Arturo Calabresi came sliding in to block from five yards, but it took another ricochet off Pierre Kalulu to bounce into the net. ............

 

Semper pushed another Zhegrova first-time strike out from under the bar, while Pisa introduced Louis Thomas Buffon, the son of Juventus legend Gigi.

 

Juventus doubled their lead in stoppages when Fabio Miretti went on a mazy run, his finish was deflected off Jonathan David into the path of Kenan Yildiz to tap in at the back post from point-blank range.

Pisa 0-2 Juventus

Kalulu 73 (J), Yildiz 92 (J) ............

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/serie-a-pisa-0-2-juventus-kalulu-kenan-yildiz/

Modificato 23 ore fa da Socrates

[Socrates 9537]

Serie A | Pisa 0-1 Juventus | Player Ratings – Kalulu, McKennie & Yildiz impress

 

 

 

Juventus battled to a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Pisa on Saturday evening, with an own goal from Arturo Calabresi and a late goal from Kenan Yildiz the only thing separating the two teams. ............

Pisa 0-2 Juventus – Player Ratings

Pisa: Semper 7; Canestrelli 6, Caracciolo 6.5, Calabresi 5; Toure 6, Leris 6, Aebischer 5.5, Vural 6, Angori 6.5; Moreo 6, Tramoni 6.5

 

Best Pisa player: Adrian Semper – ............

 

Lowest Pisa rating: Arturo Calabresi – ............

 

Coach: Alberto Gilardino 6.5 – ............

 

Juventus: Di Gregorio 6; Kalulu 7, Bremer 6, Kelly 6; Cambiaso 6 (Kostic N/A), Thuram 5.5, Locatelli 6.5 (Zhegrova 6), McKennie 7, Koopmeiners 5.5; Yildiz 7

 

Best Juventus player: Pierre Kalulu, Weston McKennie, Kenan Yildiz – ............

 

Lowest Juventus rating: Bremer –  ............

 

Coach: Luciano Spalletti 7 – Whilst it was not a pretty win, and one that took its sweet time in arriving, the coach continues to show his Juventus are capable of overcoming the various tests thrown their way.

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/serie-a-pisa-0-2-juventus-player-ratings/

[Socrates 9537]

Juventus break down stubborn Pisa to continue fine winning run

 

 

 

Juventus beat a stubborn Pisa side 2-0 this evening to continue their impressive run of form in the league. On paper, the fixture appeared straightforward, but it demanded focus and discipline from the Bianconeri, who were aware of their tendency to struggle against smaller teams if complacency set in. ............

 

Despite Juventus creating promising situations, Pisa defended admirably throughout the first half. The Old Lady could arguably have been more clinical with some of their chances, but the visitors maintained their structure and ensured the opening period ended without a goal, keeping the contest finely balanced. ............

 

After half-time, Juventus continued to press for the breakthrough, aware that conceding would make Pisa’s task significantly harder. The hosts remained disciplined, determined to avoid defeat, and limited Juventus to half-chances for much of the second half.

 

The turning point came following several changes from the Juventus bench, which increased the tempo and intensity of their play. That pressure eventually told, forcing an own goal from Arturo Calabresi, giving the Bianconeri a deserved lead and shifting the momentum firmly in their favour. ............

 

Even after falling behind, Pisa refused to collapse and continued to compete with commitment, preventing Juventus from dominating completely. The Bianconeri were made to wait until the second minute of added time to secure the result, when Kenan Yildiz found the net to make sure of the win.

 

The 2-0 scoreline reflected Juventus’ control and patience rather than outright dominance. It was a professional performance against an opponent that refused to make things easy, and another positive step as Juventus maintain their strong league form, and confidence continues to grow.

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-break-down-stubborn-pisa-to-continue-fine-winning-run/

[Socrates 9537]

Kalulu and Kenan Yildiz insist ‘Juventus deserved the victory’ in Pisa

 

 

 

Pierre Kalulu and Kenan Yildiz admit it wasn’t the best Juventus performance, but they managed to break Pisa down. ‘We did better in the second half and deserved the victory.’

 

The Bianconeri ran a few risks at the Cetilar Arena this evening, as Stefano Moreo and Matteo Tramoni hit the frame of the goal for Pisa.

 

So did Lloyd Kelly at the other end, but Kalulu eventually broke the deadlock after a double ricochet off Antonio Caracciolo when trying to meet the Weston McKennie low cross from the right.

 

Kenan Yildiz made sure in stoppages, again from close range after a Fabio Miretti strong run and touch off Jonathan David, although the Turkish talent did not celebrate, perhaps thinking he was offside. ............

 

“It’s true this wasn’t a beautiful goal, but it was a very important one. Some games are tougher than others, I believe in football there is no such thing as good luck, you just have to keep working and improving,” Kalulu said.

 

“With this victory, we are in a good position in the table, but we’ve got to just keep going and prepare for the next matches.” ............

 

This was the Old Lady’s seventh win in the last eight games between Serie A, Champions League and Coppa Italia.

 

“It’s an important win for us, we have another three games to win before the midway stage. It was very tough, Pisa had an excellent first half, but we did much better in the second and deserved the victory,” Yildiz said. ............

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/kalulu-kenan-yildiz-insist-juventus-deserved/

Modificato 12 ore fa da Socrates

[Socrates 9537]

Spalletti: ‘Juventus have to prove strength every time’

 

 

 

Luciano Spalletti warns Juventus ‘are a strong team, but we’ve got to prove it every time we step onto the pitch’ after a hard-fought 2-0 win over Pisa. ............

 

They survived that scare and took the lead on 73 minutes when a double ricochet on Weston McKennie’s low cross saw Pierre Kalulu bundle over the line, then Kenan Yildiz tapped in during stoppages after a strong Fabio Miretti run. ............

 

“Our tempo was slow, the last 6-7 minutes and first 6-7 minutes of the second half were bad, as Pisa caused problems with their intensity and we were fortunate in those situations,” Spalletti said.

 

“In the second half, we had more quality, were more inventive, Zhegrova and David did well, giving us more quality in the final third. We were able to score and at that moment of the game I felt it was deserved, as we were creating spaces in the box.

 

“We ought to do better and we need to do better.” ............

 

“Zhegrova had flu and three days with a high fever, so I had doubts he could sustain 35 minutes. But we had to risk it, as we were struggling to create those spaces, and he as we’ve seen is someone with the fuse lit, he knows how to take opponents on and make the right choices,” explained Spalletti.

 

“I honestly thought he wouldn’t do as well in the circumstances. Khephren Thuram improved as it went on, I really liked Miretti when he came on, so this win boosts our confidence.” ............

 

“With various situations this week, I had to make changes. Koopmeiners didn’t show the quality of someone in that role, but perhaps the change affected him, as did switching the wide men around,” explained Spalletti.

 

“We didn’t suffer that much in the second half, but in that period at the end of the first and start of the second, we did struggle to deal with Pisa’s physicality and they hit the woodwork twice.

 

“I thought Pisa played very well and it was similar to their defeat against Inter, who suffered here for 70 minutes. Pisa are not fortunate at the moment. Our problem is that we are a strong team, but we’ve got to prove it every time we step onto the pitch, and we were below par in too many ways during the first half.” ............

 

This was Juve’s seventh win in the last eight competitive games between Serie A, the Champions League and Coppa Italia, potentially putting them back in the Scudetto race. ............

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Read more -> https://football-italia.net/spalletti-juventus-prove-strength-every-time/

Modificato 1 ora fa da Socrates

[Socrates 9537]

Pisa 0 - Juventus 2: Initial reaction and random observations

 

 

 

Saturday night was Juventus’ first visit to the Arena Garibaldi in nearly 12,800 days. In case you’re not able to do the quick math in your head — and who could blame you with that kind of number — that’s nearly 35 years, with a mid-January visit to Pisa in 1991 being the last time that the Bianconeri strolled into the quality atmosphere that this venue in Tuscany has to offer. ............

 

It’s safe to say that this performance will not go into the vault of all-time Juventus’ team showings. Or really anything close to it. For much of Saturday night’s 2-0 win over newly-promoted and 19th-place Pisa, it was a complete slog against an opponent who packed numbers and back defended with numbers very well. But for what this team needs more than just about anything — hint: it’s points — they eventually got the job done, and that is what Juve eventually secured when Kenan Yildiz’s seventh goal of the season in all competitions took much of the stress off a slim one-goal lead and saw Juventus jump into third place, albeit with those around them set to play on Sunday or Monday and also with at least one game in hand.

 

An overall not-great performance by Juventus still ended with these things being true:

• That’s three straight wins domestically since the bad loss to Napoli.
• That’s seven wins in the last eight games in all competitions, with the loss to Napoli being the only blemish.
• That’s win to close out the calendar year that just so happens to begin a string of fixtures against provincial sides before the Champions League comes back onto the schedule late in January.

I mean, let’s face it, it really could be a lot worse. Mainly because it was before Luciano Spalletti showed up in Turin. ............

 

Saturday night was not Spalletti’s best showing. Just as it wasn’t for Juventus. This was a slog, with the kind of first half that saw Juventus dominate for much of the opening 45 minutes only for Pisa to have two of the best scoring chances, including one shot that went off the woodwork. It wasn’t looking great. They had just six shots total. They had two just shots on goal and their xG was nothing to really boast about whatsoever. The lineup decisions that Spalletti made — namely Loïs Openda and Teun Koopmeiners — were not looking effective at all, and it’s not like there were a lot of positives coming out of such a sluggish first half to begin with.

 

But what Spalletti has done well since coming to Turin is to try and reverse course and make second-half adjustments as soon as he can. The introduction of Edon Zhegrova certainly helped, as evident as by what he did before, during and after the opening goal that we thought was originally scored by Pierre Kalulu but ultimately went down as an own goal. It was a change like Zhegrova that Juve desperately needed for some sort of presence and creativity spark on the right wing — and that’s exactly what happened almost immediately after he came on. ............

 

This wasn’t the kind of performance that we saw against Roma. Nor was it really expected to be knowing that Pisa have given some top teams a tough time already this season and just the simple way of how they play compared to Juve’s opponent last weekend. Pisa forced Juve to try and break them down — which proved to be a pretty difficult task for a good amount of the 90 minutes.

 

Thankfully, the own goal and then Yildiz’s icing on the cake ensured Juve will go into the new year on a nice little run of results and, at the very least, be within striking distance of the top four when they kick off their first game of 2026. ............

RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS

• A team with a Buffon playing against Juventus? Sorry, this will take some getting used to.
• But seriously, when you’ve been around long enough as a fan to see your favorite player’s son play against his dad’s former club, you know you’re starting to get old. And it’s not just the gray hair telling me this.
• Good to see young Louis Thomas quickly meet a certain player named Gleison Bremer shortly after coming on.
• In what proved to be easily his quietest game in weeks, Kenan Yildiz still scored a goal.
• Yildiz was also routinely triple-teamed by Pisa’s defense. When’s the last time we could say that about a Juventus player? Been a little while. ............
• That little move by Fabio Miretti right before Yildiz’s goal … now that was very nice. If only he trusted his left foot enough to actually shoot the ball after making such a nice move to dispatch of everybody.
• Jonathan David probably should have been the one to score that ball, but alas that’s just the kind of season he’s having right now. When it’s going wrong, it is sometimes always going wrong no matter what you’re trying to do.
• Pierre Kalulu is good and I’m glad he’s a Juventus player. He deserved a goal even if it was officially credited as an own goal. He’s been that good this season. His celebrations were that good after he thought he got the goal. And let’s not forget, this is a man who has played every single minute of every game that Juventus has played so far this season. Let’s get him a goal to open 2026.
• Outside of that silly tackle at the top of the box in the second half, Bremer had a very Bremer-like game. It’s so nice to have him back. Oh, and to not be scared about him suddenly being subbed off in the 60th minute. ............
• I sure would love for Zhegrova to get more minutes in his legs so that he can start and give Francisco Conceição a legit run for his money on the right wing. Plus, that would just be fun as hell to see Zhegrova play more often. But at least he’s making an impact off the bench as evident by what he did when he came on against Pisa. ............
• Manuel Locatelli’s tackle that got him a yellow card might have been one of the most telegraphed soon-to-be late tackles I’ve seen in a while. You just saw it coming a couple of seconds before it happened. One of the easiest calls of the night to make. ............
• As much as we say about Zhegrova’s through ball that led to the opening goal, that cross from Weston McKennie was pretty good, too. Just another thing to add to the list of things he’s doing well right now. ............

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Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/previews-reviews/34982/pisa-juventus-2025-serie-a-matchday-17-final-score-result-initial-reaction-random-observations

Modificato 1 ora fa da Socrates

[Socrates 9537]

Juventus player ratings vs Pisa: Kalulu & Yildiz on target

 

 

 

Juventus survived a couple of scares to end their 2025 with an away victory against a courageous Pisa side.

 

Luciano Spalletti’s men broke the deadlock through Pierre Kalulu, who took full advantage of a goalmouth scramble. In the dying embers of the match, Kenan Yildiz confirmed the result with a simple tap-in. ............

Juventus XI (3-4-2-1)

Michele Di Gregorio – 6

 ............

Pierre Kalulu – 7

The Frenchman didn’t know much about the finish, but his run and pressure sparked the opener. He was solid at the back as usual.

Gleison Bremer – 6

The Brazilian had a few nervy moments at the back and gave away a free kick in a dangerous area. He was also poor at times in possession, as he’s still working on regaining his best form after a long layoff.

Lloyd Kelly – 6.5

Another comfortable showing in defence from the former Newcastle man, who also came very close to breaking the deadlock, but his shot was denied by the post.

Andrea Cambiaso – 5

An under-par performance from the wing-back, who seemed to be in vacation mode. Cheaply gave the ball away in dangerous positions, which almost allowed Pisa to score. Nevertheless, he at least contributed to the opener.

Manuel Locatelli – 6

The Juventus captain looked irked by Spalletti’s decision to hook him early in the second half, and perhaps rightly so, as he was battling for every ball and making vital defensive interventions.

Khephren Thuram – 5.5

 ............

Weston McKennie – 6

 ............

Teun Koopmeiners – 5.5

 ............

Kenan Yildiz – 7

While it wasn’t a vintage Kenan Yildiz display, the Turk remains Juve’s go-to player. Tried his luck with a curling effort early in the match, and eventually managed to put his name on the scoresheet by poaching the second.

Lois Openda – 5.5

The Belgian looked lively in the early going, but gradually suffocated as he found himself outnumbered and deprived of the spaces he likes to operate in.

Substitutes

Edon Zhegrova – 6.5

Juventus looked instantly more dangerous following the Kosovar’s entry. Lit off the right flank with his tricks and flicks, and tested Semper with a shot from the edge of the box.

Jonathan David – 6.5

The Canadian instigated the second goal by picking up Miretti between the lines, before inadvertently providing the assist for Yildiz.

Fabio Miretti – 6.5

Despite his limited time on the pitch, he managed to make an impact by playing an instrumental role in the second Juventus goal. Dribbled past the defender, before unselshly passing the ball to David.

Filip Kostic – N/A

Joao Mario N/A

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-player-ratings-vs-pisa-kalulu-yildiz-on-target/

[Socrates 9537]

“Like a son” – Spalletti opens up on Yildiz rapport, praises ‘genius’ Juventus super-sub

 

 

 

Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti reserved special praise for his star player Kenan Yildiz following Saturday’s 2-0 win over Pisa.

 

The Bianconeri struggled against their Tuscan hosts, who came extremely close to scoring on a couple of occasions. But in the end, the visitors took control of the action, and their pressure paid off with Pierre Kalulu scoring a scrappy goal in the 73rd minute. ............

 

“Games are always changed by the players, through their behaviour,” insisted the manager in his post-match interview.

 

“In the first half, we lacked Yildiz’s quality. Openda is a player who attacks depth and space, and with the midfielders we had, we couldn’t find quality in the final third, so it becomes difficult to create anything, especially when you’re missing a bit of a classic number ten.

 

“And Yildiz is our number 10. Like it or not, he has to take on that responsibility. I care about him like a son, because I know he’s the one who can change things for us, who can turn a match at any moment.” ............

 

Spalletti explained how his special rapport with Yildiz allows him to say things to his face while hoping to invoke a reaction.

 

“You try to say things to him—sometimes in the right way, sometimes you try different approaches—but no one will ever make me doubt his huge availability, his personality, or his understanding of the important role he has.

 

“We’re on the same wavelength: I can tell him things, and he has to pay attention to what I say, because, as I said before, I care about him.” ............

 

“Zhegrova had the flu: three days with a high fever, and he only trained a little Friday morning, so I even had doubts about whether he could cope with those 35 minutes,” explained the 66-year-old in his post-match interview.

 

“But we had to put him on because we weren’t finding any solutions in the final third, and he’s a real genius in the decision-making and in beating his man.”

 

“I actually thought he might give us even less, given the flu he’d had—also because physically you feel it afterwards. Instead, he came on well and gave us quality. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/son-luciano-spalletti-kenan-yildiz-juventus/

[Socrates 9537]

Zhegrova thanks Spalletti for new nickname: “He’s helping me improve”

 

 

 

Although he didn’t register a direct goal contribution, Juventus winger Edon Zhegrova made a big impact off the bench in the 2-0 away victory over Pisa. ............

 

The talented winger is still working on finding his optimal form after suffering a serious injury last season. ............

 

Zhegrova was tipped to start against Pisa this weekend in the absence of the injured Francisco Conceicao, but Luciano Spalletti revealed that he has been impeded by the flu.

 

Nevertheless, the 26-year-old’s introduction in the second half paid dividends, as Juventus looked instantly more dangerous afterwards. ............

 

“The important thing is that the group stayed united,” said Zhegrova in his post-match interview.

 

“Obviously, I want to put my qualities at the team’s disposal. Spalletti is helping me improve even in the defensive phase, which I was already doing at my previous clubs.

 

“I can’t always come off at 100%—I haven’t played much and I’ve been sidelined.”

 

Spalletti, who hailed Zhegrova as a ‘genius’ after the contest, had also given the nickname ‘Zeppetta’, which can be roughly translated as a small, yet crucial, object.

 

“The ‘zeppetta’, as Spalletti calls it? It’s something I was born with. I thank the coach for giving me this nickname,” laughs the Kosovo international. ............

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/zhegrova-thanks-spalletti-for-new-nickname-hes-helping-me-improve/

[Socrates 9537]

“Go to the bench” – Spalletti dismissed Locatelli following substitution

 

 

An Italian TV correspondent picked up the brief exchange between Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli and his manager, Luciano Spalletti. ............

 

Many fans and pundits pinpoint Edon Zhegrova’s second-half introduction as the turning point of the match, as Juventus became instantly more dangerous afterwards.

 

The Kosovar’s entry came at the expense of a baffled Locatelli, while Teun Koopmeiners dropped back to fill in for the skipper in the Regista role.

 

While leaving the pitch, the former Sassuolo star approached Spalletti, seeking an explanation for his decision.

 

However, the 66-year-old was in no mood to provide justifications, so he swiftly dismissed the midfielder.

 

“Go on, go to the bench,” said the manager as reported by a pitch-side correspondent. ............

 

After the contest, Spalletti mentioned that his decision was influenced by Locatelli’s yellow card, which is why he preferred to keep Koopmeiners on the pitch alongside Khephren Thuram.

 

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. ............

 

Many things have been said and written about the relationship between Spalletti and Locatelli, dating back to their time together in the Italian national team.

 

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

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Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/luciano-spalletti-juventus-pisa-manuel-locatelli/

Modificato 25 minuti fa da Socrates