Spalletti: ‘Juventus lacked quality, but we can have our say’

Luciano Spalletti admits Juventus ‘should’ve had more quality and were too slow’ in their 0-0 draw with AS Monaco, but trusts they can ‘have our say’ in the Champions League.

The Bianconeri knew they were secure in the play-off places and seemed relatively content to pick up a point at the Stade Louis II.

Despite numerous changes to the starting XI, they earned a 0-0 draw with AS Monaco, who close the league phase of the Champions League unbeaten on home turf.

“There was some fatigue that started to build up, so I made changes to find some more sharpness and create a better tempo,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.

“We didn’t manage it, but we were up against a team that kept forcing us to sprint back 100 metres with pace and aggression, their counter-attacks really tire you out.

“Those who came in didn’t do badly, but when the quality level of the whole group dropped, so did that of the individual performances.”

Juventus had started the Champions League struggling with just three draws in the opening four games, so the run of three consecutive victories and this stalemate is a definite improvement.

“There is more self-belief now, this is how you go on to prove who you are. We need to give a sense of consistency, but we didn’t do it today, in terms of tempo, solidity, and playing with width when we did have the ball.

“It was a rough game, they were aggressive, we misplaced too many passes, so there was a lack of quality. We went too slowly and it gives me something to talk about to the team. We did well defensively on their counter-attacks, but from the midfield up, we should’ve had more quality.”

Juve finish 13th and will play either Club Brugge or Galatasaray in the play-offs, then go on to face either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur in the Round of 16. Is he looking forward to potentially playing against ex-Napoli striker Victor Osimhen?

“We have to face everyone, we have the potential to have our say against anyone. We were playing some sharp and quick strikers too today, it’s something you have to deal with,” smiled Spalletti.