Luciano Spalletti discusses his team’s readiness and praises key players like Kenan Yildiz and Teun Koopmeiners ahead of a challenging Serie A match against Fiorentina.
Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti expressed satisfaction with the team’s willingness during the international break and previewed the challenging Serie A Matchday 12 fixture against Fiorentina, highlighting the importance of the group’s “foundation” and praising key individuals like Teun Koopmeiners and Kenan Yildiz.
According to a report from Juventus.com, Bianconeri coach Luciano Spalletti held his usual pre-match press duties ahead of the tricky Serie A Matchday 12 fixture away to Fiorentina this Saturday, November 22, with kick-off set for 18:00 CET.
The game marks the Men’s First Team’s return to action following the international break. The coach addressed the atmosphere he expects in Tuscany, noting his history with the city.
“I know Florence well because in my past life I lived there. I will accept any kind of reception, but above all I want to say that once I’m on the field I will be the coach of Juventus.
I have always respected everyone, I have no debts with anyone from a moral point of view, I am calm,” Spalletti stated. He added, “I expect a great performance from my players because it will be a very difficult game.
We will not only find an opponent that will give everything, but an entire city that will push their players to give their all tomorrow. We must show that we belong at Juventus, and that we are professionals.”
He also praised the opposing coach, noting, “Paolo Vanoli is a coach I like. I have seen him coach and I really admire his attitude during matches.”
Discussing the recent break, Spalletti focused on the progress made with the players who were available, despite only having “seven or eight players.”
He noted that the “real work” involves “managing to find our own stability on which to rest the strength of the team,” concluding, “I am happy to have found what I was hoping to find here at Juventus.”
Individually, Spalletti lauded the performances of Teun Koopmeiners, who “has shown them… great personality and in these first matches of mine here at Juventus it has been evident; he has brought out his leadership.”
He suggested Koopmeiners could play a “more advanced position” with Lloyd Kelly and Juan Cabal back from injury.
Finally, he hailed Kenan Yildiz as “the one who breaks the mold, he offers another perspective… He has the behaviour of a leader, which is the best thing I could ask for.”