Luciano Spalletti is optimistic about Juventus' future performances if they maintain the level of play displayed against Sporting CP. In his debut home match and Champions League fixture as Juve's manager,
the team drew 1-1 with Sporting at the Allianz Stadium. Dusan Vlahovic equalised after Maxi Araujo's goal, which was Sporting's sole shot on target.
Juventus managed nine shots on target, a feat not achieved since November 2021 against Zenit St Petersburg. Vlahovic stood out by becoming only the second player this season to have six or more shots on target in a Champions League game, following Victor Osimhen's seven against Bodo/Glimt. He also set a record for Juve in the competition since 2003-04.
Despite not securing a win, leaving them in 23rd place with four points in the 36-team standings, Spalletti found positives in their performance. "Sporting are a very good team, because they play an attacking style of football, they like to keep possession and have a ferocious press," Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.
Spalletti acknowledged that Juventus had a challenging start but praised their response. "We had a complicated start, then this great reaction," he noted. The team initially struggled with ball retention and passing accuracy under pressure but improved significantly as the match progressed.
The coach emphasised the importance of speeding up ball circulation to unsettle opponents. He expressed confidence in his players' abilities to make impactful plays. "What gives me confidence is that we have talented players with quality who can make the difference when taking men on," he said.
Future Prospects
Spalletti remains convinced of Juventus' potential for success if they continue with their current spirit and determination. "I still believe this is a strong team," he stated confidently. The team's ability to create multiple scoring opportunities during the match further fuels his optimism for upcoming games.
Dusan Vlahovic's hard work throughout the game did not go unnoticed by Spalletti. His efforts were crucial in maintaining pressure on Sporting's defence and creating chances for Juventus to capitalise on.
The match against Sporting highlighted both strengths and areas for improvement within Juventus' gameplay. By addressing these challenges and building on their current form, Spalletti believes that Juventus can achieve significant victories in future matches.
