Spalletti responds to Juventus pressure: ‘Imagine caring, I’ve chosen not to’

REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 13: Luciano Spalletti Head Coach of Juventus looks on prior to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Juventus at Mapei Stadium - Citta' del Tricolore on September 13, 2026 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

Luciano Spalletti insists that he does not care about the pressure that has mounted on him and Juventus over the last few days, but has warned his players that they could be in for an ‘uncomfortable evening’ against NEC Nijmegen in the Europa League on Thursday night if their heads are not in the right place. 

Spalletti responds to Juventus critics: ‘I’ve chosen not to focus on it’

Juventus are hoping to silence their critics against the Dutch side in their first match of their Europa League campaign on Thursday night, following a disappointing 3-2 defeat to Sassuolo in Serie A over the weekend. 

Since then, the press in Italy has insisted that Spalletti is a man under pressure in Turin and that there have been calls for the available Antonio Conte to return to the Allianz Stadium as his replacement. 

Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of the visit from NEC, Spalletti made it clear that he is not paying any attention to the ‘distractions’ online and in the press. 

“Learning to accept pressure is a medicine, it helps you live properly,” said Spalletti (via TMW). “I learned that a long while ago. Even aged 10, I had to help after school when my family was going through a difficult period, so imagine my caring about ‘pressure’. 

“I care a lot about my profession and the backlash after a defeat doesn’t really interest me because that’s something I can’t control. I decide what to give my attention to and when not to give my attention, and in this case, I’ve chosen not to focus on it.”

Spalletti was asked again if the Sassuolo defeat has affected him over the last few days. 

He replied: “Absolutely not, those are the sorts of feelings that make you forget who you are. You lose sense of your identity if you listen to absolutely everything that is said. 

“You can’t give importance to those who glance at you, those who want to make your life more difficult. You have to be true to yourself, live your life and shut out the emotions and distractions around you. You can’t please or be understood by everyone, you have to do the things that you think are good for the club.”

Still, Spalletti says that he isn’t too surprised to be under pressure after just four games of the 2026-27 season. 

“It’s normal,” he insisted. I’m not surprised that two coaches have been sacked after four games, I’m not surprised by the things that are said here. We have our priorities, to win the game and to show that we are Juventus.”

Spalletti did receive the support of Juventus CEO Giovanni Carnevali earlier this week, who claimed that he isn’t the type to make such quickfire managerial changes. 

“Carnevali is a footballing man and everybody knows what sort of a person he is,” Spalletti said in response. 

“He is well aware of the fact that he needs to bring a sense of calm to the team. I don’t want to disappoint him because of the respect and friendship I have with him.”

And in response to those calling for Antonio Conte to be brought back in as head coach, Spalletti said: “Everyone has their own ideas, like you [journalists], who have Conte posters on your walls. 

“It’s something that we have to accept and everyone can choose the poster they want. I’m convinced that I’m working with a strong team, which I’ve seen through my own eyes. I will continue to coach with the same convictions with which I started. We have to put things right because we can’t concede goals like that, and you are of course right about that.”

Moving onto news about the Juventus squad ahead of tomorrow’s match against NEC, Spalletti confirmed that both Weston McKennie and Andrea Cambiaso are available for selection following their recent returns to training, before going on to confirm that the American will start. 

“They’re part of our evaluations. We have to be careful with the players we have on the pitch, because we have two or three who will not finish the game. 

“I want McKennie on the pitch for many different reasons. McKennie will play tomorrow, I felt bad for not giving you any certainties.”

Teun Koopmeiners has also played an increased role following the injuries to McKennie, Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli. 

“He’s important for us,” Spalletti insisted. “We always expect him to play at the level we know he’s capable of. In every game, there are individual, personal decisions to make. He has a duty to show us the right decisions. We know he has them in him, otherwise he wouldn’t be a strong, international footballer. I’m convinced because he shows me great things, not just in the games but in training as well. We need those things from Koopmeiners.”

And on the opponents, NEC, Spalletti said: “Schreuder had the courage to impose his ideas in a country with a strong football identity. He left his mark by finishing third in a league at one of the highest possible levels. We should expect a ‘personalised’ game plan with lots of quality ideas. We have to be ready, otherwise we could be surprised.

“They also have strong players like Tadic and they play with inverted wingers because they want to converge towards the goal. We have to be at a high level mentally and if we’re not ready, it could become an uncomfortable evening.”

Spalletti also pointed out where Juventus need to improve following their league defeat against Sassuolo: “We could have been more attentive, fluid and now we have to be aware of the fact that we need to improve. We’ve outlined what we want to do and the things that we need to correct. 

“We have to be tighter to cut off some of the opponents’ passing lines and understand when to go and press, when to drop into the low block, these are the sorts of things we can correct. Today, the difference will be in how we interpret the situation. The mentality will be fundamental tomorrow.”