Thuram and Locatelli praise Spalletti: ‘Double joy’ as Juventus beat Benfica 2-0

Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli praise Luciano Spalletti after Juventus’ 2-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League: ‘He gives a lot of energy from the touchline.’

Juventus secured a crucial 2-0 win over Benfica on Wednesday, which allowed Luciano Spalletti’s side to qualify for the Champions League knockout-playoff with a game to spare. The Bianconeri still have a chance to finish in the top eight and will play their last game in the league phase next week away at Monaco.

Thuram scored the opening goal in the second half after a struggling Juventus performance in the opening 50 minutes. “I always try to do the best for my team. I scored, and when you do that, you surely feel a bit better. Today we won, and it was the most important thing,” the Frenchman told Prime Video via TuttoJuve.

Juventus fans booed the team at halftime, but Thuram was happy to see the team’s unity.

“It’s true that the situation at the beginning of the second half was a bit difficult, but we know that against these teams, a difficult moment always comes,” he said.

“We must not concede and suffer together, and tonight we did it well.”

Juventus have now won 11 games from 17 under Spalletti.

“He [Spalletti] gives a lot of energy from the touchline; we feel it, and it’s good when we are struggling,” Thuram said.

“We feel well on the pitch, and it’s good to have a coach who conveys so much energy.

“Juventus always want to go as far as possible in the Champions League. Are we in the play-off right? It’s fine.”

Manuel Locatelli also spoke to Prime Video Italia via TMW.

“We played better in the second half, when we were mentally freer. We were good at staying in the game; we had to remain calm and not concede,” said the Bianconeri captain, who had received a standing ovation when he was subbed off late in the second half.

“I’m glad about it, I’ve had difficult moments in these years, but I always given my heart,” he admitted.

“Today, it was great to receive it from the fans of the team I love. It’s a double joy.”

Locatelli has delivered consistently under Spalletti, which, to some, comes as a surprise, as the Tuscan tactician had not included the midfielder in the Italy squad for the 2024 Euros.

“The coach immediately spoke to me, and I’ve made myself available. He’s a great coach who has a lot to give us. I had to be better in the year of the Euros,” Locatelli concluded.

“Now I’m happy, I’m okay, and in the end, winning is the most important thing.”