Chiellini: ‘Spalletti long term at Juventus, this is a must win game’

Juventus director Giorgio Chiellini insists he sees Luciano Spalletti as ‘a long-term’ coach beyond his contract to the end of the season, but it’s a ‘must-win’ game against Pafos.

It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin at 20.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Benfica-Napoli on the Liveblog.

The Bianconeri are in dire need of a boost in the Champions League after just one victory and a total of six points from the opening five games.

That means tonight’s clash with Pafos is a head-to-head for position, because the Cypriots also have six points in the table.

Does Chiellini wish he could step onto the pitch and play a game like this?

“My calf muscles do not agree,” he laughed on Sky Sport Italia.

“Today is a decisive match, Pafos are a team to be respected, but we absolutely must win today in order to continue our Champions League progress and get back on track after the defeat to Napoli.

“Our regrets remain not just at the loss, but how it came about.”

Spalletti responded to the criticism of his tactics in that game by admitting he got it wrong to begin with.

“Luciano spoke and sent out the same signals within the locker room as he does in the press room. He needed to push them, because it’s true that we’ve all got to do better.”

Edon Zhegrova gets his first start in practically a year, since his Lille faced Olympique Marseille on December 14, 2024.

“We knew that Zhegrova would struggle for fitness at the start, but now he’s doing better and we are starting to see something special in training,” added Chiellini.

“He might have a half in him today or a little more, but it’ll be good if he can show from the start what he’s provided in the final 15 minutes so far.”

Spalletti is only under contract with Juventus until the end of this season after taking over from sacked Igor Tudor, and there is no obligation to extend.

That was seen as a very unusual move from the club, one that suggests they don’t entirely have faith in this project.

“I think he immediately got in sync with the squad and is here to enjoy this adventure. I think of him as being here long-term, not just until June,” assured Chiellini.

“The players can see that when they do what he asks, it can work. There’s a lack of consistency at the moment, we are a work in progress, and there is great faith in what he can bring to Juve today.

“At the end of the season, we will sit down, and I’d be happy for us to continue together.”