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LUCIANO SPALLETTI BEGINS NEW ERA IN STYLE WITH VICTORY AT CREMONESE

Luciano Spalletti reveals his tactical shocks for Juventus in a 2-1 win over Cremonese, including using Teun Koopmeiners in central defence. The new coach also warns about the pressure of playing for Juventus.

Luciano Spalletti Begins New Era In Style With Victory At Cremonese
Coach Luciano Spalletti of Juventus FC reacts during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and Juventus FC - (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)

"The strain might weigh on some players," Luciano Spalletti cautions, revealing what he anticipated from Juventus' tactical shocks versus Cremonese.

After just one training session with his new team on Thursday, the former coach of Napoli and Italy did not hold back when it came to tactical innovation.

Overall, he maintained the 3-5-2 shape, but Teun Koopmeiners, a very deep-lying playmaker, was in central defence.

After a late strike from Jamie Vardy for Cremonese, the wide men held firm as Andrea Cambiaso added the second goal after the interval, and Filip Kostic opened the score after 85 seconds.

Spalletti outlines the tactical shocks of Juventus.


"Everyone could see where he was playing after two minutes," Spalletti said of Koopmeiners to Sky Sport Italia.

We hardly ever succeeded in moving it from right to left, and vice versa, so I thought he would be in a position where he could do more damage. In order to give us an extra man in midfield, Thuram was supposed to push forward a little, and Koopmeiners was supposed to move into that area. This is due to the fact that Vardy is Cremonese's only true danger man.

Because Koopmeiners was more of a defender than anybody else when it came to maintaining organisation and calling the line on the counterattack, I observed a strong performance in terms of communication and focus. It was required because, as demonstrated by Vardy's goal, Cremonese are extremely dangerous when they have the ball over the top for the champion.

Juventus needs to break certain "poor habits" of sitting too deep when leading, according to Dusan Vlahovic's post-match remarks.

Spalletti concurred, saying, "There are definitely places where we need to improve. We already started to let them in near halftime, then after the break."

"There are a lot of things that need to be improved, and fast. Some of these guys have talent, and I have faith in them, but they are also under pressure from Juventus. When I spoke with the club owners yesterday, they inquired about my needs.

From the exterior, Juventus' availability of everything appears to be fantastic, but what is even more amazing is the interior, where nothing is visible. Some players need time because it puts pressure on them, makes them realise their level, and might weigh them down.

When Vlahovic and Lois Openda failed to capitalise on a promising attack, the coach reacted with wide eyes, displaying some of the traditional Spalletti theatrics still present on the touchline.

For disobedience and straying from his technical area, he was additionally booked for stoppages.

How did it feel to be benched again, particularly at the club level, following his disastrous stint as Italy's CT?

"I have always done it. We want to make people who love the team and this sport happy, hence we need this touch with the squad. It did not really work with the Nazionale, but I hope it works this time. You need to build a relationship with the players, which is how I have always worked," he said.

"The team as a whole can develop through those relationships, friendships, and understandings."

When Juventus plays Sporting CP in the Champions League on Tuesday, they hope to have Lloyd Kelly and Kenan Yildiz back in the lineup. Next weekend, they play Torino in the Derby della Mole.

TACTICAL SHIELD: WILL GIOVANNI DI LORENZO’S DEFENSIVE MASTERCLASS SECURE NAPOLI’S FINAL SPOT

Giovanni Di Lorenzo urges Napoli to avoid a "lottery" by beating AC Milan in normal time tonight. Can they reach the 2025 final?

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Will Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s Versatility Be Napoli’s Secret Weapon?

Giovanni Di Lorenzo has stated Napoli is aiming for victory at the Supercoppa Italiana in Saudi Arabia. He has urged his teammates to secure the win in 90 minutes when they play Milan in the semi-final this Thursday, saying that penalties are unpredictable.

The Supercoppa Italiana kicks off in Riyadh with the Napoli versus Milan semi-final on Thursday evening. Bologna and Inter will compete in the other semi-final on Friday night, with the winners meeting in the final on Monday.

Di Lorenzo: ‘Napoli want to qualify for the final in normal time’

Captain Di Lorenzo, alongside Antonio Conte during Wednesday’s pre-match press conference, mentioned that Napoli is in a good position despite their recent 1-0 loss against Udinese and their 2-0 defeat by Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the Champions League.

He said, “We’re coming in at a good time, even though we lost our last game. But this is another competition; we will play openly. The team is doing fine.”

When questioned about Napoli’s goals for the Supercoppa Italiana, Di Lorenzo clarified that they are taking it one game at a time. He wants to avoid a penalty shootout.

“Penalties are unpredictable, so we want to qualify for the final in normal time. That’s the goal. Milan is a strong team with great players, so we have to focus on doing our best.”

Regarding his recent role as a right wing-back, Di Lorenzo was asked if he has a preference between playing in a back three or a back four.

He responded, “We’re all professionals and used to playing all the time. I always train to the best of my ability. It can be tiring mentally, but you need to burn a lot of energy to play in these games.

“I play wherever the coach tells me. I’m always available for the team; my position is secondary.”

Napoli, like Milan, has brought several youth team players to Saudi Arabia. Di Lorenzo commented on them.

“They’re young guys who often train with us and bring a breath of fresh air to the first team. We try to make them feel comfortable and help them perform at their best.”

On Napoli’s defensive game, Di Lorenzo added, “Tomorrow’s match depends on our defence, so it will be very important. You attack better when you defend well. We will try to play a good defensive game and show our qualities when we have the ball.”

SAUDI SHOWDOWN: CAN MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI’S TACTICAL SHIFT OVERCOME NAPOLI IN RIYADH

Massimiliano Allegri faces a selection crisis in Riyadh. Will tactical tweaks be enough to stop Conte’s Napoli on Thursday?

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Will Allegri Demand New Strikers After the Napoli Clash

Massimiliano Allegri says he and Milan are waiting to see about possible new players in January. He also told fans what to expect when Milan plays Napoli in the Supercoppa Italiana on Thursday night.

Milan will play Napoli in the first Supercoppa Italiana semi-final on Thursday night. Then, Bologna will face Inter on Friday night, and the final will be on Monday night.

Allegri previews the Milan vs. Napoli Supercoppa Italiana semi-final.

Milan won this competition last year in Sergio Conceicao’s first two games as coach. A lot has changed for Milan since then, including the coach and their league form going into this tournament.

Allegri thinks this game will be different from Serie A matches.

“Tomorrow is a different game. It’s a one-off, and we want to reach the final. Napoli is a very strong team, so it will be tough,” he told the media on Wednesday.

Allegri also gave an update on Youssof Fofana and Rafael Leao: “Fofana is ready to play, but we’ll see about Leao after today’s training,” he said. Santiago Gimenez and Matteo Gabbia will not be available to play.

Allegri was asked if he plans to change tactics against Napoli in the Supercoppa Italiana.

He said, “We always play with three attackers. Saelemaekers is the one who mixes things up. Athekame and Jashari are back, and we need fresh energy since we always play the same guys.”

About Napoli, Allegri said, “Napoli is a strong team that scores a lot of goals in the box, no matter their tactics. Tomorrow will be a great game with many talented players.”

The Milan coach said that Gimenez will likely have surgery on Thursday. It’s not clear if this means Milan will make any moves in January.

“Gimenez saw a doctor, who advised him to have surgery. The surgery should be tomorrow morning. Milan wants to get our current players back in shape, and then we’ll talk with the club about what we can do in January.”

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