Luciano Spalletti acknowledged that Juventus are feeling “disappointed and have regrets” after an unexpected 1-1 draw with Verona. The result also led to touchline tension with Verona director Sean Sogliano.
This was a significant missed opportunity for Juventus to overtake Milan in third place, especially after Milan’s earlier 2-0 loss to Sassuolo. Both Napoli and Como also dropped points, compounding the impact of Juve’s draw in the race for the top four.
It was widely assumed that Juventus would easily defeat Verona in Turin, particularly as Hellas had already been mathematically relegated and had no further league objectives. However, Kieron Bowie put Verona ahead, and only a late free-kick from Dusan Vlahovic managed to salvage a 1-1 draw for Juventus.
Spalletti Frustrated with Juventus’ Errors
“We must always evaluate what happens, analyze things, and then try to improve for the next matches, because those are the ones that matter now, seeing as we didn’t win this one,” Spalletti stated to Sky Sport Italia.
“Clearly, we are disappointed, we have regrets, and unfortunately this happens in football. We were not fortunate, and with a little more sharpness, we could’ve turned it around, even if you cannot always control everything.
“What we can do is stay clear-headed in the moments that matter, and we didn’t do it today. That is one of the qualities that makes a great player, because you can identify those moments where you’ve got to be fully concentrated.”
The coach had previously cautioned that this was the type of match where the risk was having 11 individual talents rather than a cohesive team unit.
“I 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 couldn’t break through the right way, then allowed them a few counter-attacks, plus that error which made it all the more difficult.
“The tension cranked up after that; you have the fear of not making it, when everyone is telling you it’s an easy game and you discover it isn’t easy at all,” the coach continued.
“We 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.
“We played our game, and I think overall we did deserve to win it.”
It was a frustrating evening. Francisco Conceicao appeared furious when substituted after a couple of promising chances, and Edon Zhegrova struck the post in stoppage time.
Remarkably, in a season where the race for a Champions League spot could go down to the wire, Juventus has drawn 1-1 with Verona twice.
It’s worth noting that different coaches were in charge for the two teams during their first encounter, with Igor Tudor and Paolo Zanetti having since been replaced.
If Roma defeats Fiorentina tomorrow, they will move to within one point of Juventus in fifth place.
Tension escalated in the closing stages when Verona director Sean Sogliano was sent off from the touchline for dissent. He later voiced his strong complaints in press interviews just before Spalletti spoke to the media.
“I don’t understand what the director was talking about,” the Juventus coach commented.
“I will go and see what he was complaining about, but I really don’t 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; it’s all a bit much.”