Juventus 2-1 Cagliari: Spalletti reflects on win & hails Yildiz’s ‘game-changer’ quality

Luciano Spalletti admitted Juventus started “too timidly” in their 2-1 win over Cagliari, arguing the team only showed their true level once they fell behind.

Speaking to DAZN after the match, with quotes via IlBianconero, the Bianconeri coach called for greater personality from the opening whistle, even if he praised the reaction that ultimately turned the night around.

“We came onto the pitch timid, doing basic things,” Spalletti said. “But with the players we have, and from the coach, you expect more.”

He felt Juve only realised their potential after creating the first clear chances: “Once you put yourself in the position to score, you understand you could have done things differently.”

The turning point, he insisted, came through Kenan Yildiz. “He has the quality of a champion, a number 10, someone who can create a victory from nothing,” Spalletti said.

The coach explained that the tactical structure is designed to free the teenager: “Leaving him free, not fixing him to one flank… that 2-1 shape is also to give him the chance to come inside and shoot.”

Yildiz still has room to grow in sharing responsibility in the final third, but Spalletti noted: “That’s extra-top level.”

Once Juventus equalised, the coach felt the team finally played with authority. “After the goal we started to play, to keep the ball, to arrive dangerously in the box,” he said.

He praised the ruthlessness shown in the second half but warned that failing to convert early allowed Cagliari to gain confidence: “We went into their box 14 times… if you don’t score when you have those situations, the others grow in confidence.”

Spalletti also addressed his return to Napoli next week.

“I can imagine the happiness of going back into that stadium,” he said. “How they behave, I don’t know. For me, it will be very easy.”

On Dusan Vlahovic, he confirmed the striker felt a strain. “He felt pain,” Spalletti revealed, explaining they managed his workload in recent days.

The injury came in an unusual way: “He went to hit the ball hard but didn’t connect, almost mis-hit it, and that movement made his leg twist. If he’d struck the ball properly, he wouldn’t have got hurt.”