Spalletti praises Inzaghi and rests Gatti for Juventus friendly with Palermo

Spalletti praises Inzaghi and rests Gatti for Juventus friendly with Palermo Luciano Spalletti has previewed Juventus’ latest pre-season friendly against Palermo in Perth, reflecting on his side’s response to Inter and confirming that Federico Gatti will be rested with a minor fitness issue. With quotes via Tuttomercatoweb , the Juventus coach was encouraged by his team’s second-half showing against the Serie A champions, having fallen 2-0 behind. “In the first half against Inter we had some hesitation, even if we were up against the top of the class,” Spalletti said. “At 2-0 you might even have thought we couldn’t recover, but instead the team reacted very well in the second half, it played fast, attractive football and scored a beautiful goal. We go forward calmly, always putting something more into the legs and the head, because we have to perfect ourselves, and that’s exactly what pre-season is for.” TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Manuel Locatelli and Mattia Perin of Juventus embrace after the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Allianz Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) Spalletti confirms Perin start and Gatti fitness doubt for Juventus On selection, Spalletti confirmed a change in goal and a precautionary call on Gatti. “Perin will play against Palermo, it was a choice we’d already planned,” he said. “Gatti, though, won’t start because he has a bit of fatigue. We’ll see during the match whether we need him, but at most he could play twenty minutes or half an hour, no more.” Gatti’s fitness is worth monitoring given Napoli’s interest in the defender. Spalletti also had warm words for opponents Palermo and their coach, Filippo Inzaghi. “Palermo are a Serie B side, but they have many players who know Serie A well and a very motivated coach,” he said. “Inzaghi will surely become a top coach. He was a champion as a player, and I know him well as a person too, he’s very humble.” Of the fixture itself, he added: “It’ll be a difficult game, in a beautiful setting with a great crowd.”