
Spurs move out of relegation zone with crucial victory at Villa
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Luciano Spalletti expressed disappointment for Juventus after their unexpected 1-1 draw with Verona, highlighting missed opportunities to advance in the standings. The match also featured tension between Spalletti and director Sean Sogliano.
Spalletti: âJuventus disappointed and have regretsâ after surprising 1-1
Luciano Spalletti admits Juventus are âdisappointed and have regretsâ after a surprising 1-1 draw with Verona, along with tension on the touchline with director Sean Sogliano.
This was a huge opportunity to catch Milan in third place after the Rossoneri were beaten 2-0 by Sassuolo earlier today, with Napoli and Como also dropping points in the fight for the top four.
It was assumed that Juve would sweep Verona aside in Turin, especially as Hellas had already been mathematically relegated on Friday night and had nothing to play for.
Instead, Kieron Bowie put them ahead and only a Dusan Vlahovic free kick off the bench managed to snatch a 1-1 draw for the Old Lady.
Spalletti mentioned Juventus' disappointment stemmed from missing a crucial opportunity to catch Milan in the standings.
The draw was significant as it prevented Juventus from capitalizing on Milan's loss and moving closer to a top-four position.
The draw hindered Juventus' chances to secure a top-four finish, especially with Napoli and Como also dropping points.
The match was surprising as Verona had already been relegated, making Juventus expected favorites to win at home.

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MILAN, ITALY â APRIL 26: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
âWe must always evaluate what happens, analyse things, and then try to improve for the next matches, because those are the ones that matter now, seeing as we didnât win this one,â Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.
âClearly, we are disappointed, we have regrets, and unfortunately this happens in football. We were not fortunate, and with a little more sharpness we couldâve turned it around, even if you cannot always control everything.
âWhat we can do is stay clear-headed in the moments that matter, and we didnât do it today. That is one of the qualities that makes a great player, because you can identify those moments where youâve got to be fully concentrated.â
TURIN, ITALY â MAY 03: Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus FC celebrates scoring his teamâs first goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Hellas Verona FC at Allianz Stadium on May 3, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
The coach had warned before kick-off that this was the kind of game where the risk was having 11 great players rather than a team unit.
âI thought we had started quite well, but then Verona locked it down, as is only right for them to do. We created some dangers, but couldnât break through the right way, then allowed them a few counter-attacks, plus that error which made it all the more difficult.
âThe tension cranked up after that, you have the fear of not making it, when everyone is telling you itâs an easy game and you discover it isnât easy at all,â continued the coach.
âWe make mistakes that you see from kids, things that are too banal to be at this level, then in the second half you pin them back and have great moments of football that deserve to win a match.
âWe played our game and I think overall we did deserve to win it.â
TURIN, ITALY â MAY 03: Francisco Conceicao of Juventus FC is tackled by Martin Frese of Hellas Verona FC during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Hellas Verona FC at Allianz Stadium on May 3, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
It was a frustrating evening, as Francisco Conceicao looked furious when substituted after a couple of good chances, while Edon Zhegrova hit the upright in stoppages.
It is remarkable that when the race for a Champions League spot could go down to the wire, Juventus were held to a pair of 1-1 draws by Verona this season.
TURIN, ITALY â MAY 03: Bremer of Juventus FC is challenged by Kieron Tom Bowie of Hellas Verona FC during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Hellas Verona FC at Allianz Stadium on May 3, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Of course, both teams had different coaches during the first meeting, as Igor Tudor and Paolo Zanetti were both replaced.
If Roma beat Fiorentina tomorrow, then they will close to within a point of Juve in fifth place.
There was tension in the closing stages when Verona director Sean Sogliano was sent off from the touchline for dissent, then complained bitterly in the press interviews just before Spalletti took to the microphones.
âI donât understand what the director was talking about,â noted the Juventus coach.
âI will go and see what he was complaining about, but I really donât understand it, he was a little cryptic, but we never got up from the bench to complain whenever his players stayed down for 30 seconds after every foul, tried to use up every available second on throw-ins, itâs all a bit much.â