TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 17: Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti reacts during the 2026/27 UEFA Cup league stage MD1 match between Juventus and NEC Nijmegen at the Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy on September 17, 2026. (Photo by Valerio Penicino/Getty Images)
Luciano Spalletti left the Allianz Arena happier than when he arrived and singled out debutant Camille Grabara after the 5-0 Europa League win over NEC Nijmegen.
According to Gianluca Di MarzioThe coach told Sky Sport Italia: “I’m very satisfied. They walked onto the pitch with a clear mind, turned doubts into decisions and did a great job. They managed to make the most of their desire to do things. Nico did a great job on the first goal, hooking the ball.”
Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti: ‘The goalkeeper becomes the extra person’
Grabara kept a clean sheet on his first appearance for the club, something Spalletti was keen to acknowledge.
“Let me congratulate Grabara, who showed composure and ability to play with his feet,” he said. “In these games the goalkeeper becomes the extra person and if you can find that kind of free man on the pitch, then spaces open up for you.”
He was not uncritical, noticing the space behind the defence, while justifying the decision to change formations. “For what we showed, we could have been more compact and naturally left less space behind the defence. The choice to make the change was the right one, given the way things were going. It was a way we could interpret the game and it was how we won some games last season. We have too few players now and we have to adapt.”
Spalletti was also careful not to disparage his opponents, pointing to NEC’s third-place finish in the Eredivisie last season and their performance against Bodo/Glimt.
“Tonight the players stayed focused. They attacked every player three times and if they took over they could be dangerous,” he said. “They are not worried about anything. They have lost some games but they will work harder in the next game.”
Spalletti: “Kloe Mouani suffers from not being able to contribute”
When asked what Zeki Selik was doing in the middle of the penalty area in the fourth quarter, Spalletti smiled and said: “When you explore, they always create surprises.”
His finish on Randall Kolo Muani revealed the striker’s frustration at his goalless start had taken hold. “His running depth is easily highlighted through those spaces. He also got kicked a few times and has to know how to take the pounding on his body. He needs to put more effort in because he is strong and healthy. Last night, because training camp is optional, he was the only one at dinner and he slept alone. He suffered tremendously from not being able to contribute.”