Luciano Spalletti stressed the need for ongoing proof of Juventus’ strength after a gritty 2-0 triumph away to Pisa. The hosts rattled the frame of the goal twice through Stefano Moreo and Matteo Tramoni, but the Bianconeri held firm before breaking the deadlock. The breakthrough arrived on 73 minutes, when Weston McKennie’s low delivery caused a double deflection and Pierre Kalulu forced the ball over the line. In added time, Kenan Yildiz finished off the move sparked by a powerful Fabio Miretti surge.
Spalletti admitted the display was uneven, noting that the early stages of both halves lacked rhythm and allowed Pisa’s aggression to cause trouble. “We were lucky in certain moments,” he told Sky Sport Italia, pointing out the change in approach after the interval when Juventus showed more sharpness and attacking creativity.
Impact players and tactical adjustments
The introduction of Edon Zhegrova, despite recovering from several days of illness, helped Juventus find more invention in attack. Spalletti acknowledged concerns about his fitness but felt compelled to take the chance. The forward was key during the build-up to the opener, offering unpredictability and confidence on the ball. The coach also praised late contributions from Miretti and noted growth from Khephren Thuram as the match progressed.
There were also structural changes, including Teun Koopmeiners being moved into midfield again after a spell in defence, plus a four-player defensive unit. Spalletti admitted that the positional switch may have influenced Koopmeiners’ performance, adding that alterations on the flanks also played a role.
Looking ahead in the scudetto picture
Juve’s latest result marks their seventh success in eight fixtures across Serie A, the Champions League and the Coppa Italia. Although the standings are temporarily skewed due to postponed matches for Inter, Napoli, Milan and Bologna because of Supercoppa Italiana involvement, the win could increase belief in a title push.
Spalletti, however, maintained that their ambition must be matched by confirmation on the pitch. He credited Pisa for their display and compared the challenge to Inter’s struggles at the same ground. “We are a powerful side, but it has to be shown every single time,” he reflected, insisting the first-half standards were not good enough.
