Juventus ‘lacking consistency and confidence’ after Fiorentina draw, says Spalletti

Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti says his side are suffering from a lack of consistency and confidence after they drew 2-2 with Fiorentina in the 11th round of Serie A.

“Sometimes we get bogged down in the simplest things and lose confidence in the way we play,” Spalletti told DAZN.

Juventus had to come from behind twice in Florence. Mateo Pellegrino put Fiorentina ahead in the fourth minute, before Nick Woltemade scored his first Serie A goal to level the match. Alieu Njie then restored the hosts’ lead.

Gleison Bremer secured a second equaliser for Juventus with a header from a corner taken by Douglas Luiz.

“We conceded a very early goal, but we reacted well,” added Spalletti. “The problem is that we cannot maintain consistency throughout the match, either as a team or individually.

“We play well for 10 minutes, then lack something in the minutes that follow. We do not have consistency.”

Spalletti also criticised his players’ failure to act decisively during key moments.

“At times we decide not to make any decision and simply stay in our positions, accepting the situation without moving or taking the initiative,” he said.

“Making a decision removes doubts, but when we give in to them and remain trapped in them, we are never able to control the situation.”

New attacking line-up

Spalletti selected a new-look front three against Fiorentina, with Jeremy Boga and Randal Kolo Muani operating on the wings and Woltemade playing as the central striker.

“We made this decision because Fiorentina press aggressively,” he said. “Since we are not as good as we need to be at building attacks from the back, we sometimes need to play directly towards the striker.”

Spalletti acknowledged that retaining possession is not Woltemade’s strongest quality, but said the Germany forward was still Juventus’ best option in that area.

“Keeping the ball is not Woltemade’s strongest point because he likes to pass and combine with his team-mates, but he is our best player in this respect,” he added.

The Juventus manager was also encouraged by Kolo Muani’s display.

“He is improving,” said Spalletti. “With his current physical condition and having regained his energy, you can put him in any position and he will perform well. He is moving more and looks more integrated with the rest of the team.”

When shown a replay of Juventus’ appeal for a possible handball and asked about the decision, Spalletti smiled and replied: “I don’t know. Do you have another question?”

He then added: “I did not need to see the replay because I had already seen it on the pitch.”

The draw leaves Juventus seventh in Serie A with 18 points after 11 matches, six points behind Milan and the Champions League qualification places.

It is Juventus’ worst start to a Serie A season since 2021-22, when they had collected 15 points after their opening 11 games under Massimiliano Allegri.