Pjanic: ‘Spalletti is a gift for Alajbegovic at Juventus, have fun!’

Pjanic: ‘Spalletti is a gift for Alajbegovic at Juventus, have fun!’ Former Juventus and Bosnia midfielder Miralem Pjanic has provided a preview of compatriot Kerim Alajbegovic ahead of his first season in Turin and says that having Luciano Spalletti as head coach is a ‘gift’ for the promising teenager: ‘He’s extraordinary, he will know how to get the best out of him’. Pjanic tells Juventus what to expect from Alajbegovic Alajbegovic has joined Juventus in a deal worth €35m including bonuses after an impressive spell in Austria with RB Salzburg. He joins a Bianconeri attacking department that currently includes Randal Kolo Muani, Kenan Yildiz, Francisco Conceicao and Jeremie Boga. The Bosnian posterboy had attracted interest from several of Europe’s biggest and most prestigious clubs, but has decided to bring his talents to Serie A with Juventus, as Pjanic did in 2016. Pjanic sat down to discuss Alajbegovic’s potential in an in-depth interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport . Asked why he thinks Alajbegovic chose Juventus at this stage of his career, Pjanic said: “Because Kerim is more mature than his 18 years let on, and he has a good family behind him as well. I am a friend of his father’s and I told him what I thought about Juventus and about the other opportunities. In the end, it was their choice. “Alajbegovic grew up in Germany and took off in Austria with Salzburg, but he’s always had an eye for Serie A. And Juve is always Juve.” CARDIFF, WALES – MARCH 26: Kerim Alajbegovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrates after winning in the penalty shoot out in the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-off match between Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) When was the first time Pjanic had the opportunity to watch Alajbegovic play? “I like to watch the youth team matches, especially in Bosnia. I noticed Kerim with the national team first, then with Salzburg.” Juventus have invested €35m on the signing of Alajbegovic, just shy of the €40m they spent to sign Paulo Dybala from Palermo in 2015. Pjanic was asked if they are two comparable players. “We hope that Kerim can imitate Paulo,” he agreed. “It’s a similar level of investment, the important thing will be what happens on the pitch. “Dybala scored and won a lot with Juventus. Alajbegovic is only at the beginning and has to stay humble, but he has the potential to have a top, top career. Let him have fun and grow without too much pressure.” Did Pjanic have any words of advice for Alajbegovic before completing his Juventus transfer? TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 19: Miralem Pjanic of Juventus FC looks on during the Serie A match between Juventus and Parma Calcio at Allianz Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) “Only to lace up your boots, listen to Spalletti and have fun,” Pjanic replied. “As I said to Kerim, Juve is a family and will make everything available to you. You have to think about what you do on the pitch and improving yourself. There will be ups and downs, but we and the club will be there to support him through the hard times. I also struggled a bit at the beginning. “You feel the responsibility from the champions who previously wore the shirt when you’re at Juve. The important thing for now is that Kerim gets to know his teammates well and learns Italian quickly, but we’re quite good with languages.” And where does Pjanic see Alajbegovic playing his best football? As a winger or more of a central, attacking midfielder? “He’s an offensive player who knows how to mix it up across the attack. Spalletti will find a way to get the best out of him. I trained under Spalletti for six months in Rome and he’s extraordinary. For a talented young player like Kerim, it’s a gift to have a teacher like that.” LECCE, ITALY – MAY 09: Head coach of Juventus FC Luciano Spalletti smiles during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Juventus FC at Stadio Via del Mare on May 09, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images) And how will Alajbegovic slot in alongside Kenan Yildiz? “Very well, they both ‘speak’ football. Quality players find each other naturally. Spalletti is great and will get the best out of everyone, he’s always done that across his career. I’m happy that Alajbegovic will be coached by Luciano. There were also lots of other very good coaches that I know who were interested as well.”