Spalletti Finds a Spark in Turin: Juventus Rally Slightly After 1-1 with Sporting CP

Match snapshot

Juventus’s new head coach Luciano Spalletti believes the squad is loaded with players who can tip the balance, even after a 1-1 draw with Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. The result leaves Juve without a win in four Champions League games this season, with three draws and one defeat. Sporting took the lead through Maximiliano Araújo in the 12th minute, and Juventus equalized through Dusan Vlahovic in the 34th, with both teams sharing the points.

The draw has Sporting on seven points for the campaign, while Juventus sit on three, a position that keeps the Italian side fourth in the group standings. The match underscored Juve’s ongoing struggles in the competition, as they have yet to secure a victory after four rounds, drawing three times and losing once.

Spalletti, speaking after the game, noted that Sporting are a very strong side who play aggressively with ball possession and high pressing. He acknowledged that Juventus began with some difficulties but rebounded well, dominating phases of the game and creating several good opportunities. He emphasized that the squad is blessed with talented players who can change outcomes when needed and that with this spirit, they can win many matches.

“There’s a real risk of excessive attacking pressure against Sporting, given their ability to exploit space in tight areas,” he added. “We dominated possession at times, though our ball movement was not perfect early on. We need to speed up our passing, rotate the ball more, and tighten the movement off the ball.”

Spalletti insisted the team must improve their decision-making and timing, especially in translating pressure into decisive attacks. “The moment-to-moment choices matter; we must recognize when to press and when to absorb and then strike,” he said. He also expressed confidence in the squad’s quality, noting that the players have the tools to make a tangible difference if they keep playing with the right energy.

Looking ahead, the coach warned that the group remains challenging and that Juventus could face a tough path to progression in Europe. He highlighted that the club will need to maintain discipline and cohesion across upcoming fixtures, including trips to Bodø/Glimt and Benfica, followed by a visit to Monaco under Paul Pogba’s leadership.

For context, this marks Spalletti’s first Champions League involvement as Juventus’ head coach and also his first time coaching in Turin. He closed by praising the atmosphere at the stadium and the support of the fans: “The stadium was full, the atmosphere was fantastic, and the players felt that energy.” He added that there is always room for improvement, but he trusts that a shared effort can yield results.

Journey of Tudor

Earlier in the cycle, Igor Tudor took charge in March, extending his contract through 2027 after guiding Juventus to a top-four finish that secured a UEFA Champions League berth. The Croatian defender-turned-coach played for Juventus from 1998 to 2007, winning multiple Serie A titles and reaching the 2003 Champions League final. Tudor appeared in 174 matches as a player for the club and has steered the team in 24 matches as coach, recording 10 wins, eight draws, and six losses.

In Serie A, Juventus currently sit sixth, four points behind the leaders Napoli, while they have accumulated three points from four group-stage matches in the Champions League. The campaign remains a test of project and patience for the Bianconeri as they navigate a demanding schedule.

The match in Turin delivered the typical drama of European nights: a moment of spark, a bit of struggle, and a reminder that in football, momentum is everything—and it can swing as quickly as a well-timed pass.

Punchline time: If patience were a formation, Juventus would have mastered it by now—three defensive lines, zero offensive urgency, and still somehow finding a way to make the scoreboard look like a suspense novel. Punchline two: They say shoot for the moon; Juve should shoot for the net, because right now the net’s still waiting for its first proper invasion of goals this season.