Juventus striker Randal Kolo Muani admits ‘tension’ inside the dressing room after a 3-0 loss against Lazio, although players ‘talked about it the right way’, and he confirms he’s ‘comfortable’ playing alongside Nick Woltemade.
Juventus host Rennes in the Europa League Round 3 on Thursday after winning the previous two games in the competition.
The Bianconeri’s Serie A results are very different, as the Serie A giants sit 8th in the domestic league with 11 points in seven matches.
This past Sunday, they suffered a 3-0 home loss to Lazio, which sparked an exchange in the dressing room.
The dressing room meeting also followed Gleison Bremer’s strong criticism of his teammates.
Juventus vs. Rennes: Kolo Muani’s press conference
“The captain spoke after the match. There was some tension, but we discussed it constructively in the dressing room,” Kolo Muani said at a press conference on Wednesday (via Sky Sport).
“It’s up to us to show what we can do on the pitch. We talked about it the right way, like a family working through problems.
“I don’t think we lack character. We’re a good, united group that wants to keep working hard,” the French striker continued.
“There are many new players, including me, who need to settle in. That’s what we are doing.”
Juventus coach Spalletti has confirmed that Kolo Muani will start alongside Woltemade against Rennes tomorrow.
“In football, it’s important that the coach trusts you. The coach gives me valuable advice to keep going beyond my limits,” Kolo Muani said.
“I’m very comfortable playing with any teammate. In training, we work on what the coach asks us to do, but we know it’s then up to us to put it into practice, and we also have the freedom to take responsibility.”
Kolo Muani has played for PSG and Nantes in Ligue 1, so is it special for him to face another French club in the Europa League tomorrow?
“Calling it special might be an exaggeration, but it’s certainly a different kind of match,” he noted.
“Rennes will come here looking to win. We won our first two matches, and we’ll try to win the third as well. Of course, I hope that performing well here will also help me return to the national team.