Luciano Spalletti admits Juventus’ 2-0 defeat to Como exposed psychological fragility, insisting self-belief is the key issue as the Bianconeri struggle for form.

Luciano Spalletti conceded that Juventus’ biggest obstacle is not their opponents but themselves following a damaging 2-0 home defeat to Como 1907. The result marked yet another setback in a dismal run that has seen the Bianconeri claim just one draw from their last five competitive fixtures.

Unlike previous losses to Inter and Galatasaray, where red cards played a decisive role, there were no such mitigating factors this time. Instead, defensive lapses and costly goalkeeping mistakes allowed Mergim Vojvoda and Maxence Caqueret to seal a shock victory in Turin, further intensifying scrutiny on the team.

“The performance was also dictated by that first goal, because incidents do make the difference,” Spalletti told reporters. He pointed to a worrying trend, noting that Juventus have now conceded with the first shot on target 13 times this Serie A season — a statistic that has repeatedly left them chasing games.

Spalletti believes the core issue is psychological rather than purely tactical. He explained that a previous spell of strong performances had built belief within the squad, but recent setbacks have eroded confidence. Misplaced passes and uncharacteristic errors, he said, stem from players feeling trapped by pressure and lacking the authority they once showed.

The frustration among supporters was evident at the final whistle, with loud jeers echoing around the stadium. Juventus now face a critical week, attempting to overturn a 5-2 Champions League play-off deficit against Galatasaray before travelling to face Roma in Serie A.

Goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, who was beaten at his near post against Como, has come under scrutiny, but Spalletti refused to single him out. “Di Gregorio has no extra responsibility compared to his teammates,” he insisted, stressing that errors in build-up play and defensive positioning must be shared collectively.

Injuries and suspensions have compounded the crisis, with Pierre Kalulu banned and several key players sidelined. Manuel Locatelli will also miss the upcoming clash with Roma through suspension. Ultimately, Spalletti was blunt: “Our opponents are ourselves. If we sort things out psychologically and technically, we can have our say. If this is our level, then we cannot have ambition for any result.”