Spalletti: ‘Juventus must rip spaces open’ in Benfica defence

Luciano Spalletti warns Juventus must ‘rip those spaces open’ in the Benfica penalty area and be more determined in front of goal ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash.

It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Atalanta-Athletic Club on the Liveblog.

These two teams had a fairly similar issue in Europe this season, getting off to dismal starts, but then winning their last two matches in 2025.

The Bianconeri scraped just three draws in the opening four rounds, while Benfica managed to lose their first four games, but then beat Ajax and Napoli by 2-0 results.

“I think we will see both teams engage in both phases, attacking and defending,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.

“I also believe that if we leave the initiative to them, with their spiderweb of passing, players accustomed to moving the ball in tight spaces, forcing us back could create problems.

“We therefore ought to take more of the initiative. That doesn’t necessarily mean pinning them back into their penalty area, but not allowing them the time and space to control the tempo.”

Dusan Vlahovic and Daniele Rugani are still on the treatment table, so Jonathan David is backed to start yet again rather than Lois Openda.

There have certainly been improvements since moving to a 4-2-3-1 formation, but Juve lost 1-0 to Cagliari at the weekend, despite dominating possession.

“We must continue to exchange roles, move around, imagining the spaces and taking those positions. We must at the same time also maintain a balance, as when there are rapid counter-attacks, you have to get back into position,” noted Spalletti.

“Inside the penalty area, as we’ve said many times, we need to do better. The penalty area is territory to be conquered, there are no spaces open in there, you have to rip those spaces open and create them.”