Spalletti explains unexpected Juventus changes and new roles

Luciano Spalletti confirms Juventus are returning Teun Koopmeiners to midfield against Pisa, while explaining his choices for Weston McKennie and Lois Openda too.

It kicks off at the Cetilar Arena at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

The Bianconeri are really kicking into gear under Luciano Spalletti, picking up six victories in their last seven fixtures between Serie A, the Champions League and Coppa Italia.

Their wins over Bologna and Roma saw them close to within a point of the Giallorossi in fourth place.

There are quite a few adjustments to the line-up, as Koopmeiners returns from suspension and is taken out of the back three.

“We’re bringing Koopmeiners back to midfield, because a good player is one who brings his own characteristics to a role,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.

“He’s been around more or less all these roles, but he’s good at being a midfielder too. Despite the fact they haven’t had many results lately, Pisa have played with a very open and attacking approach against everyone, often losing because they lacked quality in the decisive moments.

“I expect them to cause us problems and work hard, so spaces will be hard to come by, unless we fight our way out of those individual duels.”

McKennie only had one training session yesterday, but is still kept in the starting XI.

“We had two or three players with a high fever this week and got them back to work yesterday, but they aren’t at 100 per cent. This is football now, which is why we have such large squads, because players can miss out.

“McKennie perhaps doesn’t have the quality to be perfect in any of those roles, but he’s always very good and makes up for it with his desire to work hard, chase players down, and always does his fair share wherever you put him. So he gives us the opportunity to make changes, and we take that opportunity.”

Openda was also a surprise in the starting XI, as many expected Jonathan David to start upfront instead.

“As we’ve said, one of the strikers can run into space, the other is more physical, they bring different characteristics. As usual, one will start and one will finish, it’s about those final 20 minutes,” concluded Spalletti.