Luciano Spalletti is glad Juventus ‘took risks’ to overturn the Europa League trip to Celta Vigo, but warns Francisco Conceicao he ought to be ‘angry with himself for that performance.’
It was a game of two halves in Vigo, as the Bianconeri were sluggish before the break and went behind to the well-worked team move finished off by Hugo Alvarez after 18 minutes.
They were very different in the second half, turning the game around when Nick Woltemade made the most of the Marcos Alonso error to equalise, then in added time substitute Randal Kolo Muani nodded in the Andrea Cambiaso cross at the back post.
Sky Sport Italia’s touchline reporter noted the winner arrived around 20 seconds after Spalletti had told Woltemade to go wide and put Kolo Muani in the centre.
Spalletti’s Juventus risks pay off
VIGO, SPAIN – OCTOBER 15: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between Real Club Celta and Juventus at Estadio Balaidos on October 15, 2026 in Vigo, Spain. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
“Kolo interpreted the role too much as a winger, the flank was meant to be free for Cambiaso, but we were unable to keep the ball in certain moments, so they continually found a free man in the middle,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.
“They forced us into chasing them down and we used up a lot of energy. At the end, Woltemade was a little tired, whereas Kolo one on one could make an impact. He is a strong player, so I changed the positions, but it’s still the strikers who ultimately make the difference with their choices on the field.”
The coach had been unhappy with his team in the first half, asking them to move the ball more quickly.
“We were a bit slow in doing everything during the first half, and it allows Celta to get organised again. When we got it back, we were too slow to counter, then when we lost the ball, we were too slow in pressing to get it back.
“Our performance against Cagliari was much better in every sense, in terms of focus, consistency, intensity, we were too slow today in every phase.”
VIGO, SPAIN – OCTOBER 15: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between Real Club Celta and Juventus at Estadio Balaidos on October 15, 2026 in Vigo, Spain. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
There was some tension on the touchline, as when Francisco Conceicao was substituted, he went straight to the dressing room without sitting on the bench. Was he angry with himself or with the substitution?
“It would do him well to be angry with himself, because otherwise we can talk about it later,” replied Spalletti.
“If he has something to say, I think it is against himself for his performance. Besides, he went off at the 70th minute, there is another match coming up in a few days. If he had this attitude, and my staff tell me he didn’t, then he’ll explain to us what he thinks and we’ll try to sort it out.”
There is a remarkable statistic, as Juve had not come back from a trailing situation to win a match since the 2-1 against Cagliari in November 2025.
“We had chances, so did Celta, but at times we were disorganised and left spaces where they could’ve hurt us. At the same time, I like that these lads are willing to take risks in order to go for the win, you need to take risks in modern football.
“It can end up like Sassuolo where we lost, but you have to take the risk.”
VIGO, SPAIN – OCTOBER 15: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on before the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between Real Club Celta and Juventus at Estadio Balaidos on October 15, 2026 in Vigo, Spain. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
Teun Koopmeiners continues to struggle in the Juventus jersey, passing almost exclusively sideways or backwards.
“It’s true, the fact we don’t immediately go for vertical passes when we win it back is something that is not just him, but quite a few of us have been doing,” noted Spalletti.
“Koopmeiners probably doesn’t feel all that confident right now precisely because he doesn’t play regularly and feels he constantly has the spotlight on him. I thought the European stage could bring back some of that lustre, but he needs to improve.”
Juventus crushed NEC 5-0 in the opener, so they maintained their 100 per cent record in the Europa League after two games.