Juventus director Giovanni Carnevali supports Luciano Spalletti, reveals they ‘reproached’ Bremer for criticising his teammates, but blames his predecessors for ‘mistakes’ in strategy.
The match with Stade Rennais kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin at 17.45 UK time (18.45 CEST).
The Bianconeri have been in dismal Serie A form and are coming off a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Lazio, but that has not been reflected in the Europa League.
They are top of the table there after a 5-0 win over NEC Nijmegen and comeback 2-1 victory away to Celta Vigo.
It therefore remains to be seen which version of Juve will turn up tonight when Stade Rennais visit Turin.
Carnevali critical of Juventus predecessors
“I think the important thing is consistency, because we alternated some good games with clearly negative performances,” Carnevali told Sky Sport Italia.
“We want the maximum concentration and everything required to find consistency with those results we already had in the Europa League.”
There was tension between coach Spalletti and captain Bremer after the 3-0 defeat to Lazio, with the defender openly criticising some of his teammates for ‘hiding’ under pressure.
“We talked to the players and reproached Bremer, because what he said was not right, he too spoke to the squad and cleared the air. It is natural for us to work with and support the coach.”
The director of sport was asked if the club still has the same full faith in Spalletti.
“We must try to rebuild, so there have been some mistakes made in recent years not just on a sporting level, but an economic one too,” replied Carnevali.
“We find ourselves in a situation over the summer with a settlement agreement and Financial Fair Play limitations that blocked us from making certain moves. We need to rebuild, have clear ideas, and not just constantly chop and change, otherwise we’ll continually have to start from scratch.
“I’ve been here for four months, I try to bring my ideas, so I don’t believe it is right to change every time there are some difficulties.
“The Juventus jersey weighs on players, it is not easy for many especially young players, so we must try to help them, support them, and give joy to these fans, but also realise it takes time. We mustn’t be hasty.”
Spalletti has reacted in different ways to the results and performances in recent months.
“The coach is still the same, he knows that we need to work. It’s true, the jersey weighs, the bench is a high-pressure situation, but that’s part of being at a big club like Juve,” continued Carnevali.
“Maybe other clubs don’t have this situation, but after two negative games here the media immediately starts calling for changes. We all know what we need to do, that there are some issues that have to be analysed, and we are doing that.
“I want to reiterate that lack of consistency is what has taken us into this situation, both on the field and above all off it with Financial Fair Play limitations, which is a big problem. We have to acknowledge and live with it, we mustn’t hide behind anything.”
There are some significant tactical changes, as after weeks of public pleading from both strikers, Nick Woltemade and Randal Kolo Muani finally get the chance to start together upfront, shifting to a 3-5-2 formation.
Weston McKennie should also get a free role to roam behind the forwards, adding extra protection for the defence too.