Luciano Spalletti admitted frustration after Juventus edged Genoa 2-0 at Allianz Stadium, praising a first-half showing but condemning a flat second half that left him “still not sure what I’m dealing with.” Gleison Bremer and Weston McKennie scored, Michele Di Gregorio’s penalty save proved decisive, and worries over calf injuries to Dusan Vlahovic and Mattia Perin cloud Juve’s immediate outlook.
Juventus grind out 2-0 win but coach left with questions
Juventus returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Genoa, but the result did little to soothe Luciano Spalletti’s frustration. Bremer’s headed opener and McKennie’s composed finish in the first half gave Juve control, yet a limp second half forced the Bianconeri to rely on goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio’s late penalty save to secure three points.
First-half control, second-half drift
Juventus dominated early phases, their structure and aggression producing two well-taken goals. Gleison Bremer rose to meet a set-piece with classic aerial authority, then Weston McKennie capitalised on a quick transition to make it 2-0 before the break. The match flipped after halftime: Genoa grew into the game, and Juve’s intensity evaporated, leaving them exposed and careless in possession.
Di Gregorio the unlikely match-winner
Michele Di Gregorio, introduced at half-time, became the pivotal figure when he saved a late penalty that would have dramatically altered the night. The stop underlined Juve’s defensive vulnerabilities in the final 45 minutes and emphasised how fragile the victory felt despite the two-goal cushion.
Spalletti: ‘Still not sure what I’m dealing with’
Spalletti’s post-match assessment was blunt. He ruled out fatigue as an excuse — the squad had days off and light training in the build-up — and expressed exasperation at the team’s inconsistency. “Sometimes we have to accept that we aren’t the best versions of ourselves. After six or seven months here, I’m still not sure what I’m dealing with,” he said, highlighting a glaring disconnect between Juventus’s potential and their output.
What the coach’s comments reveal
Spalletti’s candour hints at deeper issues beyond match tactics: a patchy mentality, selection dilemmas or a dressing-room dynamic that resists steady improvement. The coach needs a reliable baseline performance level — especially with Juve still hunting a top-four push — and tonight’s oscillation between control and complacency will raise questions about leadership and consistency within the squad.
Injury concerns threaten momentum
The night ended with further worry as Dusan Vlahovic and goalkeeper Mattia Perin both felt calf problems. Vlahovic reported a twinge while warming up and did not enter the match; Perin was forced off at half-time. Spalletti confirmed tests are required to determine the extent of the issues, and any significant layoff for either player would be a genuine blow to Juventus’s depth and attacking options.
Squad implications
Vlahovic’s absence would exacerbate Juve’s need for reliable goal threat from the bench or through tactical adjustments. Perin’s situation places extra responsibility on Di Gregorio and the goalkeeping department. These injury uncertainties could force rotation that disrupts rhythm just as the title push tightens.
Where this leaves Juventus
The win moves Juventus closer to the top-four scrap, but the manner of the victory exposes vulnerabilities. Defensive lapses, a drop in second-half intensity and unsettled personnel choices mean progress remains fragile. Spalletti’s frank assessment is both a warning and a call to action: stabilise performance levels, manage player fitness sensibly, and find a more consistent identity.
What to watch next
Monitor medical updates on Vlahovic and Perin and how Spalletti adjusts his starting XI. If injuries force changes, Juventus will need tactical clarity and leadership from senior figures to avoid slipping in a congested Serie A race.
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