Four Juventus stars praised after ‘positive’ Spalletti debut

Luciano Spalletti got his Juventus tenure off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory away against Cremonese in Serie A on Saturday evening, and four Bianoneri players have earned individual praise from the press after a second consecutive Bianconeri victory in the league. 

Goals from Filip Kostic and Andrea Cambiaso were enough for the Old Lady to hold onto in Cremona on Saturday evening, despite a late consolation goal from Jamie Vardy. 

That was Juve’s second victory in a row in Serie A, following a 3-1 win over Udinese on Wednesday night. The team had not won in any of their last eight games prior to the Udinese win. 

Several players have earned individual praise in the press following their roles in Juventus’s victory on Saturday night. 

Among them are goalscorers Kostic and Cambiaso. The Serbian, who had scarcely featured under Tudor, has now started two games in a row, offers something a little different to Juve’s other options out wide, and is now adding goal contributions to his game as well. 

Kostic completed more dribbles, more crosses and, interestingly, won more duels than any other Juventus player on the pitch on Saturday evening. 

Cambiaso, who had not scored in 11 months prior to the Cremonese win, has also earned praise from the likes of La Gazzetta dello Sport on Sunday. He was deployed in his most natural position, at right wing-back, and went on to create three chances and make seven interceptions and ball recoveries. 

Teun Koopmeiners also had a positive start to life under Spalletti. The Bianconeri midfielder played on the left of the back three amidst a crisis of injuries at the back, and still made the most forward passes of any player on the pitch (48). 

Despite the fact that he did not end up on the scoresheet on Saturday evening, Dusan Vlahovic has also earned praise for his performance against Cremonese. The Juventus striker played nine one-twos with his teammates, won eight duels and registered six shots on goal across the 90.