Spalletti on Juventus future, son De Rossi and Italy disappointment
Luciano Spalletti shrugs off Juventus contract talk and is glad to reunite with ‘son’ Daniele De Rossi, but Italy players are ‘tied to disappointment like a leash’ after World Cup failure.
The Bianconeri host Genoa on Monday at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST).
They went into the break for international duty in joint fifth place with Roma, three points adrift of high-flying Como, so it’s going to be a fight to the end for Champions League qualification.
Spalletti keeps focus on Juventus targets
“It is an important final sprint, but that’s a normal standard for us, so when you say there are eight Finals, that’s what it should always be for Juventus,” said Spalletti in his press conference.
“We must be ready to give our best, and there is no margin for error, as we’ll need to win practically every game to get there, starting with a very difficult Genoa.”
It had been reported that Spalletti would sign a new contract with Juventus during the break, but there is no announcement yet.
“I don’t understand why you care so much about this. We’ve got a perfectly fine rapport and there will be the opportunity to discuss it, we don’t need to do it all now. It has to come naturally.”
Vlahovic made his comeback a couple of weeks ago from that serious injury and could even potentially be in the starting XI on Monday.
“He trained well and is available, but I doubt he’ll be able to start. He could give us a hand,” added Spalletti.
“Jeremie Boga showed what he is capable of, he is a very quick player with these bursts of pace, but doesn’t love physical contact. We are happy to have him here.”
Genoa are now coached by Daniele De Rossi, who worked with Spalletti as a player at Roma.
“Daniele is one of my football children, and I care for him just as I think he cares for me. At the same time, as with all father-son relationships, sometimes I got on his nerves.
“It is a Genoa side suited to De Rossi, because you can see his characteristics and mentality in the squad.”
Inevitably, the questions turned towards the failure of Italy to qualify for a third consecutive edition of the World Cup, losing the play-offs to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It was particularly pointed here, considering Spalletti started the campaign and was fired after two games to make way for Gennaro Gattuso.
“Obviously, those who did qualify returned to base happier and those who didn’t are tied to disappointment like a leash,” said Spalletti.
“I know everyone and how much love and passion they put into this. I am sad about what happened, but I also hope that people listen to all sorts of advice, and start to plan properly for the future.
“We need to ask ourselves if we really care about getting value out of talent. There are many foreign owners in Italian football now, and that is good, but we must ask if they want to make the most of Italian players. It is also only right to go and seek the best from the other nations.
“I think there are still many mothers out there who are churning out talents like those of Baggio, Totti, Del Piero and Cannavaro did in the past, and we must be in a position to use the talent that more mothers bring into the world.”