Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti admits he must question himself after a 2-0 loss to Fiorentina leaves Juve’s Champions League hopes in danger heading into the final day.
Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti admitted he must question his own decisions after a damaging 2-0 home defeat to Fiorentina left the Bianconeri two points adrift of a Champions League spot with one match remaining.
FT | ⏹️ | The final whistle sounds.@EASPORTSFC#JuveFiorentina pic.twitter.com/QNzRmYHsIZ
— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) May 17, 2026
Speaking after the match, Spalletti cut an irritated figure in his post-match interview, pushing back against suggestions that Juventus had to “play the game of their lives,” saying such framing was unhelpful.
“If you start this way, you immediately begin badly,” he responded, insisting that dramatic language about the situation was misplaced. He did, however, concede the seriousness of the result, describing it as a terrible performance in a game that carried huge importance for the club’s season.
Reflecting on Juventus’ broader trajectory, Spalletti noted that there had been signs of growth in recent weeks, but admitted the team had failed to deliver when it mattered most.
He stressed that responsibility lay with him first and foremost, stating: “First of all, I have to question myself rather than the footballers,” adding that he must assess his own role before judging the players.
The Juventus boss criticised several aspects of the performance, including the lack of intensity in duels and the failure to control key moments, particularly after conceding despite not being heavily threatened. He also highlighted a recurring issue this season, noting it was the 16th time Juventus had conceded from the opponent’s first shot on target, a trend he described as unacceptable and one he must address urgently.
Looking ahead, Spalletti insisted that Juventus must avoid emotional overreaction and focus on clarity and structure, while also rejecting the idea that the Champions League race should be framed in extreme terms, saying it remains “just a football game” despite its financial and sporting consequences.
