Spalletti: ‘Juventus must learn to use pressure and avoid wrong attitude’

“It’s true, we have some dominant performances, but then are too superficial in our attitude to finishing,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.

“There are windows in games, they last just a few moments, and being able to anticipate them and be ready is what takes you to the next level. Unfortunately, football is a low-scoring sport, so if you don’t watch the whole game, you often don’t get a full picture of the performance, if you only look at the score.

“At Juventus, we don’t learn to deal with pressure, we learn to use it, to be ready and funnel it.”

UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 14: Luciano Spalletti, Juventus manager, looks on during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Juventus FC at Stadio Friuli on March 14, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

Dusan Vlahovic returns to the starting XI for the first time since November 29, when he suffered that serious adductor tear, having come off the bench last week to score against Hellas.

Kenan Yildiz was expected to only be on the bench, but he starts too in what would seem to be a 4-2-3-1 formation, Francisco Conceicao and Weston McKennie also in support.

UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 14: Luciano Spalletti, Juventus manager, reacts during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Juventus FC at Stadio Friuli on March 14, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

“We are a strong team who lack certain characteristics that can complete the work we’re doing in the build-up. I am very happy with the way we play, including the last game, where we did everything right until the finish, where we had to be more determined,” added Spalletti.

“At the same time, there was a lack of focus and a goal we should not have conceded. Tonight is a difficult game, as Lecce are a good team, so they are going to be prepared for us. We’ve got to get certain results too, as Juventus chose us, John Elkann is at Taormina with his colleagues and will be watching us on television.

“This is a team building foundations for the future, so we’ve got to have the right attitude now and get ourselves on the right track. You win matches when the gaps are small, when the stadium around you is vibrating with tension the way it is today, we can’t just win when we have everything laid out for us.”

The last time these sides met in Turin on January 3, the result was 1-1, so a victory is not to be taken for granted.

As it is Mother’s Day this weekend, the Lecce players are wearing special shirts with the names of their mothers on the back.