FIRST DEFEAT PAIN: LUCIANO SPALLETTI ENDS UNBEATEN RUN; CRITIQUES JUVE'S TIMIDITY AND CROSS DEFENSE
Luciano Spalletti confessed Juventus were "passengers" in the 2-1 loss to Napoli, attributing the first defeat of his reign to poor ball control and tactical rigidity in midfield.
Luciano Spalletti admitted Juventus was just along for the ride in their loss to Napoli. He explained what went wrong with his bold choices for the starting lineup.
This game marked Spalletti’s first loss since he took over as Juventus coach from Igor Tudor. It ended his streak of four wins and three draws across Serie A, the Champions League, and Coppa Italia matches.
“It’s true, Napoli pushed harder from the beginning,” Spalletti told DAZN Italia. We were too hesitant moving the ball and lost it easily. That made us chase them.
“They are in good form, so if you don’t hold onto the ball, they make you run all over the field with their skill and strength.”
Spalletti talked about Juventus' starting lineup surprises against Napoli.
With Dusan Vlahovic injured, the Juventus coach surprised everyone by not starting either Jonathan David or Lois Openda. Instead, he put Kenan Yildiz in as a false 9.
The Turkish player scored a quick goal to tie the game. But Rasmus Hojlund scored twice, giving Napoli a 2-1 win.
“I think Yildiz and Conceicao can play those roles because they pass the ball well,” Spalletti noted. Locatelli sat back too far and didn’t stay where I wanted him in midfield. The two forwards didn’t move enough, and we got stuck in the middle. We didn’t pass the ball fast enough or create enough space in midfield.”
He subbed David in for Juan Cabal at halftime, which did bring some change.
“We played better in the second half when we matched them man for man. But we still had trouble with Napoli’s pace and their ability to counterattack. Even though we matched them, they still created problems.
“After we scored and tied the match, we had control. But we were too predictable and didn’t push hard enough as a team. We didn’t try to do anything different, so we really need to improve quickly, or it’s going to be tough.”
“We’ve had some good moments, but now we need to look at what's happening.
Spalletti had mentioned this game as important for his Juventus team, matching up against Italy’s current champions. The two squads did not seem to be on the same footing.
“We can play better than we did. We gave away so many passes. If you don’t control the game, you let the other team control you.”
Juventus has a weakness on defence, as they often struggle with crosses to the far post. This was a problem under the previous coach, Tudor, as well.
“Napoli blocks to create space, and we fell for it every time. We needed to communicate better. We also made it too easy for them to cross the ball. These are all split-second decisions.”
It was sure to be an emotional night for Spalletti, as it was his first game back at Stadio Maradona since helping Napoli win the Scudetto in 2023.
“Of course, when the fans sing those songs that I know so well, it’s great. Only the Stadio Maradona can create an atmosphere like that.”
PULISIC HITS BACK: MILAN STAR SHUTS DOWN 2026 GOAL DROUGHT CONCERNS
"I haven't stopped dreaming." Christian Pulisic addresses his goal drought and the frustration of missing out on the Gold Cup squad.
Christian Pulisic isn’t holding back. When critics started questioning his recent form and worried about his 2026 goal drought, he shut them down, calling those concerns “bad questions". The AC Milan forward, fresh off his Time magazine cover, still trusts his ability to step up for the USMNT as they gear up to co-host the World Cup.
All eyes are on him.
The U.S. is set to share the stage for the 2026 World Cup, and Pulisic is set to become the go-to guy for the national team. Landing on the cover of Time isn’t something soccer stars from America get every day, and it just shows how big a deal he’s become, especially after proving himself in Europe. But right as people are finally giving him mainstream recognition, he’s under the microscope for not putting up his usual numbers in front of the goal.
He’s not fazed by the dip.
When Time asked about his goal drought and how he’s handling not scoring for club or country this year, Pulisic didn’t mince words; he’s not sweating it. “I plan on scoring goals. Such bad questions. I’m not concerned about it, man.” You can hear the confidence in his voice.
Dealing with the noise
Pulisic admits this stretch feels extra tough. Missing out on last June’s Gold Cup squad hurt him, mostly because he’s used to shutting people up with his play. “Normally, I just go out there and score, and that quiets everybody. Right now, I’m in my offseason, so everyone’s talking, and I can’t do anything about it. That’s what’s frustrating.”
For Pulisic, attacking is everything. “Going at the goal, creating attacks, that’s what I live for. Sure, you have to do all the other stuff: defend, run, whatever. That’s fine. But what really gives me joy is finding ways to score and actually scoring.”
Chasing the dream
The U.S. opens their World Cup run against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium on June 12, and Pulisic will lead the team right here at home. He doesn’t like making big public predictions, but at 27, he keeps that childhood dream alive. “That’s just not how I work. But I’ll lie in bed and imagine myself holding the World Cup trophy. I did that when I was a kid, and I haven’t stopped. You need to believe. Why not?”
WHY DID LAUTARO MARTINEZ REJECT A CAREER-DEFINING MOVE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
"I love Milan." Read why 28-year-old Lautaro Martinez rejected Manchester United and Arsenal to stay at the San Siro in 2026.
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has clearly put an end to any speculation about leaving San Siro, making it known that he has no plans to entertain offers from Europe’s top clubs. Even with regular links to teams like Barcelona, Manchester United, and Arsenal, the Argentine forward is fully committed to what’s happening in Milan.
Martinez has been quite vocal about his dedication to Inter amid constant rumours about his future. Despite frequent connections to some of the biggest clubs on the continent, he insists there’s no reason for him to move on from the current Serie A champions.
Media reports have often tied him to Barcelona, PSG, Arsenal, and Manchester United. But through various transfer windows, Martinez has consistently pushed back on the idea of leaving Inter. At 28, he remains a key figure in the team’s current setup and has stepped up as the club’s captain and on-field leader.
In an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, Martinez expressed his loyalty to Inter’s project. He made it clear that he isn’t interested in changing clubs despite the speculation.
He said, “No, because I am faithful to the Inter project, I feel at home here. My family is happy, we have a restaurant in the city, and we love Milan. From the first day, everyone treated me in a way I didn’t think possible. I achieved so many personal and team goals here.”
Success on the pitch seems to deepen his connection to the club. Inter recently secured another league title and continues to chase trophies, including the Coppa Italia. On an individual level, Martinez is eyeing the Capocannoniere prize as Serie A’s top scorer. His steady performances underline why he’s considered one of the most reliable forwards in European football.
Since his move from Racing Club in 2018, Martinez has become the defining presence in Inter’s modern lineup. With 173 goals over 372 competitive games, it’s clear how vital he is to the team.
Looking ahead, the club sees Martinez as a central piece in their long-term plans. His leadership and scoring ability make him hard to replace. Settled both on and off the field in Milan, he seems set on continuing his story at the Giuseppe Meazza, despite ongoing interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
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