Luciano Spalletti insists that Randal Kolo Muani and Nick Woltemade can play well together in attack for Juventus, but has explained why he has decided against fielding the Frenchman and German alongside each other for Thursday night’s Europa League match against Celta Vigo.
Woltemade is set to lead the line for Juventus when they take on Celta Vigo away from home, and will be joined by Francisco Conceicao and Kerim Alajbegovic in attack. Kenan Yildiz remains out injured, whilst Kolo Muani and Nico Gonzalez drop to the substitute bench.
Spalletti speaks ahead of Celta Vigo vs. Juventus
Spalletti has made six changes in total to the team that were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw against Cagliari in Serie A over the weekend, and he insists that rotations are crucial if the Bianconeri are to compete in multiple competitions this season.
“We’ve made six changes, but we’re playing again in two days’ time: You don’t get to the end of competitions if you don’t make changes,” Spalletti told Sky ahead of kick-off (via TMW). We have to do something different, but we also did well in Cagliari. We have to be ready for anything and to go work harder than whatever we expect.”
Spalletti was asked if he had considered fielding Kolo Muani and Woltemade alongside each other this evening.
He replied: “Yes, but we will make them play together and there might even be an opportunity tonight. Kolo Muani and Nico Gonzalez have the ability to turn games around. They have the strength to go and turn results on their own.
“We could play them together and satisfy some of you, but then we’d be missing someone like Alajbegovic, who has also shown his quality. We play good football, we need to create a few more chances, but I don’t think my team is doing badly right now.”
Lastly, Spalletti was asked whether he thinks Alajbegovic and Yildiz will be able to play alongside each other in the same team once the latter returns from injury.
He believes: “That is something that is possible.”