Spalletti: ‘Juventus don’t want Icardi, Kalulu like Di Lorenzo’

Luciano Spalletti explains Pierre Kalulu’s positioning at Juventus, reveals a Kenan Yildiz fitness problem, and assures they ‘don’t want Mauro Icardi’ from Galatasaray.

The Bianconeri ran riot at the Stadio Tardini this evening for a 4-1 victory, with centre-back Gleison Bremer grabbing a rare brace, along with the acrobatic Weston McKennie volley and Jonathan David tap-in.

Parma only managed to find the back of the net thanks to a comical Andrea Cambiaso own goal on Alessandro Circati’s cross, while Lois Openda’s effort in stoppages was ruled offside.

Spalletti keeps Juventus on their toes

“It is better not to look at statistics, as often those come from static situations that do not influence the result, as football is more about sudden changes of pace, duels and second balls, that is where you get into the real game. Whoever is more wide awake there can win the match,” Spalletti told DAZN Italia.

In their post-match interview, Gleison Bremer and Weston McKennie called the coach ‘unique’ and said they’d never worked with anyone quite like him.

“If they said that, naturally it is pleasing. What is fundamental for me is having a rapport with a team that wants to enjoy its football, because that is how you unleash the quality we saw today. They must never be disconnected from the match, so always plugged in and ready for the next situation.

“Every game is a step for us to learn, and it is never definitive, it is a process that keeps going. In any case, I told them they shouldn’t compliment me, but instead praise their teammates. This group has the potential to be a great team, thanks also to that unity and enjoyment they have in training and in a match situation. They combine enthusiasm with determination, no matter what you ask of them.”

Pierre Kalulu pushes forward a lot in Spalletti’s Juventus down the right flank, not dissimilar to Giovanni Di Lorenzo at Napoli, and provided the assist for McKennie’s volley.

“This position is crucial to give alternatives and create some chaos in the marking of the opposition team. He has this ability to start runs at the right time. A team must have this ability to go from tight to stretched out in a moment, knowing when to play short and when to go long,” noted Spalletti.

“As you mentioned Di Lorenzo, I want to send him my best wishes to return to the field as soon as possible, because he deserves all the best. When I saw him hurt like that, it pained all of us. He is the master at that positioning between the lines, he is a complete player, and Kalulu is getting to that level too. He dictates the tempo for his teammates.”

Kenan Yildiz was rested midweek in the Champions League 0-0 draw away to AS Monaco and started this evening, but went off at half-time after complaining of muscular issues.

“Yildiz told us during the first half he felt a bit of pain, but he could make it to half-time,” explained Spalletti.

“We trusted him, but he now has a bit of pain even when walking, so we have to evaluate it, but it shouldn’t be too serious. I think it’ll be tough to get him ready for Thursday.”

The transfer deadline is tomorrow and Juve have already snapped up two players today, securing Jeremie Boga from OGC Nice on loan and Emil Holm from Bologna in an exchange with Joao Mario.

They are still looking for a centre-forward, but before kick-off director Giorgio Chiellini ruled out deals for Mauro Icardi, Jean-Philippe Mateta or Randal Kolo Muani.

“I get asked about Icardi and Osimhen in a press conference, so I can only speak highly of Icardi as a player when he was in my team,” explained Spalletti.

“There were other situations that he took into the locker room that were about his home life and didn’t belong in the locker room, so I had to talk to him. When you are in a dressing room, you cannot keep the door open to let in other matters.

“I had to make a decision then, and I decided to exclude him, so he had a reaction based on that. He is a good lad, a lovely person, and a fantastic striker. But we don’t want Icardi. Is that ok?

“If I speak highly of someone then it goes all over the headlines that I want to sign him, but it’s not true. We are looking for a player with specific characteristics, if we don’t find him, then we’ll stay as we are. After all, McKennie is as good a hitman as anyone, you saw him again tonight.”