Spalletti: ‘Juventus must build on positive signs, otherwise back to square one’

Spalletti: ‘Juventus must build on positive signs, otherwise back to square one’ Luciano Spalletti insists Juventus ‘showed positive signs’ when beating Napoli, but they must build on those in the Europa League with AZ Alkmaar ‘otherwise we go back to square one.’ It kicks off in Alkmaar at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET). You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog. The Bianconeri got back on track domestically with their 2-0 victory against Napoli on Sunday, and are unbeaten so far in the Europa League with two wins and a 2-2 draw with Stade Rennais. However, injuries rule out Weston McKennie, Kenan Yildiz, Manuel Locatelli, Nico Gonzalez, Francisco Conceicao, Zeki Celik, Khephren Thuram and Kamil Grabara. Spalletti warning for Juventus TURIN, ITALY – OCTOBER 22: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on before the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 match between Juventus and Stade Rennais FC at Juventus Stadium on October 22, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) “Alajbegovic works well with the rest of the team, he can pass the ball and cut inside, creating a moment out of nowhere to shock the opposition, as we saw against Napoli,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia. “There is also an opportunity for us to rotate ahead of the trip to Fiorentina. We changed four this evening, but what becomes fundamental is to repeat the kind of performance we saw with Napoli. “That match showed clear signals, it is important to recognise their power and repeat them with more emphasis and consistency in future, otherwise we go straight back to square one. From here on is the opportunity for real growth.” McKennie is left out due to a fitness issue, although he should be back this weekend in Serie A, so Pape Matar Sarr steps into the starting XI. REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Luciano Spalletti Head Coach of Juventus looks on prior to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Juventus at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on September 13, 2026 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images) “McKennie is someone who knows how to encapsulate the mentality of a strong team, he fights everywhere all over the pitch to help out, he is convinced of his own strength,” explained Spalletti. “Pape Sarr plays this evening and we want to see how he can repeat what he did at Tottenham in important matches. I want the best out of my players, just like we did in the last game. “We’ve got Juan Cabal and Lloyd Kelly back to fitness, we trust these lads, but they too need to prove they’ve got the right attitude.” TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 17: Luciano Spalletti, Manager of Juventus, reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Juventus and N.E.C. Nijmegen at Juventus Stadium on September 17, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) AZ Alkmaar are unbeaten at home in 17 UEFA matches going back to October 2023, so are a tough prospect here. “They haven’t lost here in a long time, so we need a great performance,” warned Spalletti. “We can’t come here and think of controlling the match, we need to raise the level, recognise the importance of the gestures made during the game, and repeat them more consistently, even constantly. “I did see positive signs from the team, and it is essential we repeat them tonight. AZ Alkmaar have a clear identity, they know what they want to do, they all know what they need to play there. Juventus still need to fully understand that.”