Spalletti Pleased with Juventus Squad Despite Ekhator Injury and Transfer Market Wait

Luciano Spalletti, the manager of Juventus, has voiced his satisfaction with the team’s performance during their initial pre-season friendly match, despite acknowledging an injury to player Jeff Ekhator and the ongoing need for transfer market reinforcements. The Italian club played their first friendly of the season against Basel, a match where several key players were absent and the squad was not yet complete.

Spalletti’s Positive Assessment

Despite the circumstances, Spalletti was encouraged by what he saw on the pitch. “Yes, I am very satisfied because we have worked all week, almost always with double sessions,” he stated. “For this reason, it might be difficult to see clear game patterns or well-defined ideas, but the lads showed them, and they did so well.” He noted some moments of imprecision, particularly in crucial decisions, and acknowledged the opponent’s goalkeeper’s quality, but ultimately praised the team’s expression and seriousness during the week.

The team will continue their physical and tactical work at Continassa, with no planned breaks. The return of the first national team players is also expected this week.

Douglas Luiz Shows Promise

Douglas Luiz featured for Juventus for a period during the match, marking his return after a spell in the Premier League. Spalletti commented on the Brazilian’s performance, stating, “Yes, I saw some signals. We all know his qualities.” However, he also expressed a desire for Luiz to elevate his game: “I expect him to sometimes raise the engine revs, to play with the volume of game that suits complete footballers. He has quality in tight spaces, the ability to decide when to touch the ball one more time and when, instead, not to touch it at all, making it arrive where he wants it to. At the same time, however, sometimes you have to push for thirty meters on the field, for the team and to win a ball. He does this a bit less and will have to do it more.”

Ekhator’s Injury Concern

Jeff Ekhator was forced to leave the friendly early due to a thigh problem. Spalletti provided an update on the situation: “He didn’t manage to settle into the team well, he got a bit agitated. Then he started to feel some pain behind [the thigh] and stopped, so it’s a match that cannot be evaluated. We know the player well, we have seen him in action, we are calm and we hope that nothing serious has happened.”

Encouragement for Young Talent

Spalletti also offered praise for the numerous young players integrated into the first team. “They are all lads with good qualities and excellent prospects,” he said. “What they need to show, right from the start, is that they have the character of senior players, that they are in a position to leverage their qualities, but also to have the courage to take responsibility. They must choose without doubt about what they do, enter the field and play the cards they have, exploiting the opportunities available to them. This is what makes the difference.” He emphasized the importance of courage in decision-making and execution, while also stressing the need to remain cohesive within the team structure, particularly in defensive phases.

Jeremie Boga’s Perspective

Jeremie Boga, who was among the starters, shared his thoughts on Juventus’s performance. “How are you? Very well, it’s a pleasure to play matches again,” he said. “I think we played a good game. Obviously, physically we are not at our peak yet, but with the ball we showed good play, which is something we wanted to do this year. We take each game to improve our physical condition.”

Boga also expressed his happiness at his permanent transfer to Juventus. “It was very nice. I was on vacation, but I was just waiting for the call to know that the buy-out had been made. When I received the call, I was very happy, along with my whole family, to be able to continue this adventure with Juventus.”

Reflecting on last season’s Champions League qualification failure, Boga admitted, “We were all a bit disappointed because it was a goal we failed to achieve. But this year we are all ready and motivated to achieve our goals and finish as high as possible.” He also touched upon his versatility, stating, “For me, when you play for a club like Juventus, you have to be ready to adapt to playing multiple roles. It’s the same for me whether I play up front, on the left or on the right: I always give my best. I think it’s positive that other strong players arrive because they increase competition and that’s good for the team.”

Regarding his compatriot Franck Kessie, who has been linked with Juventus, Boga commented, “No, we haven’t spoken recently, but he is a good player and also a very good person. Whoever arrives, I’m happy.”

Key facts
| Aspect | Detail |
|—|—|
| Manager’s Overall Sentiment | Satisfied with team’s performance despite pre-season stage |
| Player Injury | Jeff Ekhator (thigh problem) |
| Player Performance Noted | Douglas Luiz (showing promise, needs more intensity), Jeremie Boga (happy with transfer, confident in team) |
| Team Focus | Physical and tactical improvement, integration of young players |
| Transfer Market | Acknowledged as an area needing reinforcement |

The team’s ongoing pre-season preparations and the manager’s assessment highlight Juventus’s focus on building form and cohesion, even as they navigate player injuries and the imperative to strengthen the squad through the transfer market.

Source: TuttoMercatoWeb – https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-a/spalletti-soddisfatto-squadra-perde-ekhator-aspetta-mercato-2254961

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