Spalletti: ‘Saw happy and relaxed Juventus faces’ after first Champions League victory

Luciano Spalletti sees ‘more relaxed’ Juventus players now after the 3-2 win away to Bodo/Glimt, as he admits the pressure was getting to them in the Champions League.

The Bianconeri were trailing 1-0 in Norway at half-time, but the game changed with the introduction of Kenan Yildiz, who inspired the goals from Lois Openda, Weston McKennie and Jonathan David for a 3-2 victory.

It was hard fought, as Bodo/Glimt had got it back to 2-2 late on through the Sondre Brunstad Fet penalty, while Fabio Miretti had an earlier goal disallowed for offside.

“The team played an open and attacking game, which was a struggle at time, as Bodo/Glimt play with really impressive passing and speed of thought on this pitch, that had rather intimidated us looking at their previous home matches,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.

“We didn’t make the most of some pretty easy situations in the first half, then after the break they doubled up and pushed hard. This is an important victory, one the lads deserved, and we dedicate it to ourselves and those fans who made the trip to see us here.”

Some of Spalletti’s initial choices raised eyebrows, but the players who came off the bench including Kenan Yildiz and David proved decisive.

“It’s not about choices, it’s also about ensuring the whole squad develops. I am happy tonight because in the locker room I saw happy faces, or at least more relaxed ones, because players are people too and they suffer when things don’t go well. It’s not like those who suggest they are laissez-faire.

“I have the kind of experience that has allowed me to develop a callus, so I can handle most things.”

The artificial pitch in Bodo is something that has tripped up many a team in Europe over recent years, most famously Roma’s 6-1 loss here.

“The team kept pushing forward every time, had some good moves and spells of play. Everyone has struggled here, they all told us that it felt like the hosts were going twice as quickly, that they could breathe more easily in this climate, that there were so many difficulties,” continued Spalletti.

“It would’ve been a pity not to bring home the points after that second half, as the lads did what they needed to do.”

When it comes to mental strength, Spalletti had said before kick-off that every game was “an opportunity to drag ourselves out of mediocrity.” So is this a turning point for their season?

“The team does feel this cloud over them of everything that is said, they don’t have the freedom to make decisions and play their game. There were problems here too, with some attitudes where we allowed Bodo/Glimt back in and we could’ve avoided that.

“The players need to grow in terms of belief and courage, we need that extra step in both mentality and our training, because we don’t have the right tempo in training.

“A few players are not fully fit or in form, and we need to do this in a real match situation, not in the neutrality of training, because that speed of thought and movement needs that scenario,” concluded Spalletti.