Luciano Spalletti believes that players lacking sufficient personality are not suited for Juventus. He also voiced his disapproval of a statement made by Torino to their fans before the Derby della Mole, calling it “absurd” to suggest that certain colors should be prohibited.
Juventus concluded the 2025-26 season with a 2-2 draw against their city rivals Torino. The Granata managed to come back from a two-goal deficit in the match.
Torino 2-2 Juventus: Spalletti’s post-match analysis
The Bianconeri finished the league in sixth place, securing only a spot in the Europa League.
The Derby della Mole at the Stadio Grande Torino was marked by significant pre-match tension, with the game kicking off an hour later than scheduled due to clashes between Juventus and Torino ultras. A Juventus fan was hospitalized in critical condition, and Juventus ultras had threatened pitch invasion if the match had commenced as planned. When the game finally started, Juventus supporters vacated the stands.
Spalletti addressed these incidents during his post-match interview with Sky Sport Italia.
The Italian manager first reviewed the game and the entire season, which saw Juventus miss out on a top-four finish.
“I am the coach responsible for analyzing what happened. We had control of the game; these are the matches where you see a person’s character and their inner makeup. In such games, you strive to find something more. The difference isn’t simply having two more or two fewer points.”
Damien Comolli had previously stated that Juventus intended to build a strong team alongside Spalletti during the summer transfer window.
“This is what everyone expected, and it’s the correct approach,” Spalletti stated. “We have a duty to compete and hold our heads high against any opponent. The objective is to build a high-caliber team capable of addressing the shortcomings we’ve observed over the last six to seven months.”
“I believe character always makes the difference. Sometimes, personalities come together. It’s a factor as crucial as physical strength and technical ability. A footballer’s mindset should remain consistent regardless of the opponent. They can win or lose, but their attitude should never waver,” Spalletti elaborated.
“Everyone experiences doubts when stepping onto the field. When you cling to these doubts, they become amplified, so you need to let them go and make decisions. That’s the key. Everyone has doubts, but a decision must be made. If you are too hesitant, you lack sufficient character, and you cannot play for Juventus, as this is precisely what distinguishes a player. Personality cannot be taught. Tactics and technique can be taught, but character is difficult to instill. We have experienced both highs and lows.”
Consequently, Juventus will need to acquire players with stronger personalities in the market.
“These are matters we’ve been discussing with Comolli and the others. We require players who elevate the team’s personality. This is why we have sometimes delivered exceptional performances and at other times collapsed dramatically,” Spalletti explained.
“At times, we were also unlucky, as we missed crucial penalties in important matches. Last season, a penalty against Venezia secured their Champions League qualification. This season, we faltered in a few games, but not many. In some instances, we didn’t achieve the desired result, yet the team trained well, including this week, despite widespread predictions of failure. It was appropriate to give the players a day off, as amidst all the tension, they need to feel a sense of freedom. There are so many emotions, games, and pressures. To minimize the impact on them, I saw no better solution than to grant them rest, and it was the correct decision.”
Finally, Spalletti conveyed a message to the Juventus fan in the hospital. He also criticized Torino for a message they had issued to ticket purchasers before the game, warning that individuals wearing Juventus merchandise would be denied entry. Juventus had already issued a strong statement on Saturday.
“We are all awaiting updates from the hospital, hoping for the fan’s swift recovery,” Spalletti concluded. “However, if absurd statements are made the day before a game, prohibiting the wearing of black and white in the stands, then the problem lies with those who advocate for the exclusion of certain colors, as ultimately, we harm ourselves. This is despite all our efforts to improve football. There were thousands of young fans present tonight, and telling a child they cannot wear a black-and-white scarf is nonsensical, and we must challenge this because it is unacceptable.”
