Spalletti explains Di Gregorio problem and feels Juventus ‘frightened’ of pressure

Luciano Spalletti reveals why Michele Di Gregorio is not in goal for Juventus against Cagliari, and notes the players ‘let themselves get frightened’ by the pressure.

It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium at 17.00 GMT.

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

The Bianconeri had stuttered under their new coach, held to three consecutive stalemates between Serie A and the Champions League.

However, they got back on track in the midweek 3-2 win away to Bodo/Glimt, and their return from Norway was delayed by the weather conditions.

“We worked hard over the last few days, but also with a sense of peace after a good result and performance. Those help you work with greater joy and ease,” Spalletti told DAZN Italia.

That can make a big difference, as the coach acknowledges that Juventus have been struggling to deal with pressure in recent months.

“It all depends on mentality. At times, these lads let themselves get frightened by everything that is said around them, but they must be convinced of their own potential. If they are here, it is thanks to that potential.

“If others won’t have faith in them, then I will. They need to realise I wouldn’t have come here to Juventus otherwise, I am at a moment of my life where I wasn’t interested in another three months of work,” added Spalletti.

“A contract doesn’t get you into the history of a club, it’s the results. We must get results and make these fans happy, as they are waiting to be able to smile, and that is the real success.”

Federico Gatti is still not at 100 per cent after flu symptoms, while Daniele Rugani, Gleison Bremer, Arek Milik and Carlo Pinsoglio are injured.

Dusan Vlahovic and Kenan Yildiz return to the starting XI, above all the Turkish international who came off the bench to transform the game in Norway, but a surprise is Mattia Perin in goal.

“Di Gregorio has the balance of a top player and person. He had a stomach bug over the last few days, so we have blind faith in Perin. It might’ve been risky to push Di Gregorio back in immediately, as he only had one day of training. He will return in the next game.

“It is never a problem, we need many players who are ready and can allow us to secure the position in the table that we are all after,” explained Spalletti.