INSTANT REACTION: LUCIANO SPALLETTI SECURES CRITICAL VICTORY AS JUVENTUS TARGETS THE TOP FOUR RACE.
Juventus secures a 2-1 win over Roma. Luciano Spalletti hails a "double victory" but warns Zhegrova over defensive lapses in Turin.
Luciano Spalletti thinks Juventus not only beat Roma but also learned something from their aggressive style. Though he did mention Edon Zhegrova's, let's say, not-so-great defending.
Juventus knew this game was super important. Losing would've put them pretty far behind in the race to get in the top four.
Instead, Francisco Conceicao and Lois Openda scored, winning the game 2-1 and putting Juve just one point behind Roma.
But Spalletti was annoyed about that late goal by Tommaso Baldanzi, which he blamed on Zhegrova messing up.
Spalletti had both good and bad things to say about Juventus.
He said, A game is like a blank canvas. You can't just throw in what you're good at. You also have to do the stuff you don't like.
He gave Yildiz as an example. Yildiz went back to help defend. Other teams know how good he is, but I don’t think he knows it yet, or how others already see him.
He does what needs to be done. When you play a team like Roma, who are well-balanced and always attacking with their defenders and wing-backs, you need guys like Yildiz and Conceicao helping out; otherwise, they'll break through.
“Zhegrova can't really do that kind of defending right now. He's awesome when he's attacking. So, I need to make sure he's in a position where he can just do that. If not, we're in trouble.
Spalletti added, I don't think Zhegrova will ever be a great defender. It's just not him. When he has to defend, he kind of disappears.
He can run back, but sometimes you need to grab your opponent and get physical. That's not his thing.
Spalletti also shouted out for Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma. Even though they didn't have many scoring chances, they controlled the ball a lot in the first half.
Roma will keep at it, but we're not like that. We have moments where we lose focus, give the ball away too easily, and lose track of our wing-backs. They switch sides a lot, so if we don't force them in one direction, we waste energy chasing them.
Even if they weren't too dangerous, their rhythm, consistency, and solid play caused us problems in the first half. We also didn't do a great job on counterattacks. Their constant pressure wears you down, and you don't have the energy to counter.
Gasperini’s teams trap you, and you feel like you have to break free. There’s always someone on your back.”
This is Juventus' second big win in a row. They also passed Bologna after winning 1-0 last week.
Francisco Conceicao and Gleison Bremer, who were starting for the first time since their injuries, both left the game with minor muscle issues.
Juventus seem to be finding their groove under Spalletti, winning six of their last seven games, only losing to Napoli.
With no more big games coming up, does this mean Juve can catch up to the top teams?
Spalletti laughed and said, I feel like biting you when you ask that.
What do you mean, no big games? They’re all tough now. If you win and pick up things from the teams you beat, that's a huge win because it gives you confidence and shows you can compete with anyone.
We kept pushing until the end, and even after conceding that late goal, the team wanted more. Now we'll keep grinding and try to make up some ground.”
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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