Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti straight up said he “didn’t understand” why Jhon Lucumí’s late, late winner against Rennes got disallowed in their 2-2 Europa League draw Thursday in Turin, and honestly, who could blame him? That 88th-minute goal would’ve sealed the win, but VAR had other ideas, pulling it back for an offside call on Teun Koopmeiners’ flick-on.
VAR Chaos Leaves Spalletti “Surprised and Disappointed”
Can you believe it? The man in charge, Luciano Spalletti, after watching Lucumí convert off Koopmeiners’ free-kick flick, was left scratching his head. He told TuttoMercatoWeb, “I didn’t understand it, and I’m going to look into it.” The VAR call claimed Lucumí was offside when the ball was flicked. Spalletti, watching it back in the dressing room, was “surprised and disappointed.” His take? The Rennes player could’ve cleared that ball, and Lucumí wasn’t even impeding him. This isn’t some rookie coach talking, this is a top-tier manager saying, “I thought I knew this rule, but after tonight I have a lot of doubts.” He even called the referee “very good,” but “a little less good on this incident.” You gotta feel his frustration, especially when a goal that crucial gets wiped off the board.
Woltemade and Kolo Muani Under the Microscope
Beyond the VAR drama, Spalletti wasn’t shy about calling out his attacking duo, Nick Woltemade and Randal Kolo Muani. This was their first competitive start together, and while Woltemade stepped up,setting up Zeki Çelik’s opener and bagging the equalizing penalty,Kolo Muani struggled, getting subbed off ten minutes early. Spalletti’s message was clear: “Today they did well, but I think I can expect more from both of them, because their qualities are greater than the performance they gave tonight.” He wants to see them link up better, not just as individuals. He envisions them working so well together that they “can become three, not two” in terms of impact. That’s a high bar, but with the talent they have, he’s not wrong to demand it.
Bravery and Control: The Path Forward for Juventus
Even with the frustrating draw, Spalletti did find positives, particularly the team’s “attitude” after their brutal 3-0 defeat to Lazio on Sunday. He was “satisfied” they managed to get back into the game, admitting it was tough. The lads “accepted the difficulties, gained ground and were rewarded,” even though he felt they hadn’t made any “glaring mistakes” on Rennes’ two goals. He also gave props to Rennes, calling them a “good side, with quick, technical players and a strong academy.” But he’s still pushing his squad to be braver. “We have this tendency to feel comfortable sitting deep, but modern football isn’t like that any more.” He wants them to gain those extra meters, choose when to press, and show the “attitude of a team that wants to take control.” It’s about taking the game to the opponent, not just reacting. If Juventus wants to stop “going round in circles,” as Spalletti put it, they need to embrace that aggressive, forward-thinking mindset he’s preaching.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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