Luciano Spalletti says he hopes that Juventus have learned from their mistakes away against Cagliari last season ahead of their meeting in Serie A on Sunday evening, and has told Randal Kolo Muani to ‘stay calm’ and put his best skills into practice.
Juventus come into tonight’s game two points behind Cagliari in the Serie A table after five matches, but a victory this evening will see them leapfrog their opponents into third place in the standings.
You can follow the action from Cagliari vs. Juventus on the Football Italia Liveblog.
Spalletti previews Cagliari vs. Juventus
Juventus were beaten 1-0 by Cagliari in this fixture last season, back in January earlier this year. Speaking to DAZN ahead of kick-off, Spalletti said that he hopes to avoid the same outcome this time around.
“We encountered some difficulties after that defeat and we want to be ready so that it doesn’t happen again. This is a game we have to take by the hands. Cagliari is a tricky customer and they play good football.”
Spalletti was also asked for his thoughts on centre-forward Kolo Muani, who has gone five games without a goal in Serie A since making his return to the club over the summer transfer window.
The Bianconeri head coach warns that he will not get the best out of himself during matches if he does not play to his own strengths.
“There is a risk that he is too markable,” said Spalletti. “He’s not the player who holds off his man and draws in opposition defenders. He likes to dribble, come in with speed, those are his best qualities. He has to stay calm and put them into practice.”
Spalletti also had praise for Nico Gonzalez, who has been in impressive form since returning from a loan spell with Atletico Madrid over the summer.
“Nico has a wickedness about him and that desire to bring home whatever he wants in football. He determines everything that happens to him.”