Juventus Sticks with Spalletti Amid European Challenges
With Serie A matchday 7 wrapped up, the focus shifts to European action for the Italian sides involved in all three competitions, with hopes of a better showing in the Champions League than a week ago.
The shadow of Antonio Conte looms over Juventus, but according to Gianluca Di Marzio, he is not currently an option the club is considering. "Based on the thorough checks we carried out today, Juventus currently have no plans for Conte, nor any plan other than Luciano Spalletti—not just Antonio Conte or any other coach. Juventus want to continue with Luciano Spalletti and firmly believe he is still the right coach for this team. Whether they are right or wrong will obviously be determined by time, results and performances, but their confidence has not been shaken by last night's game, by the latest poor performance. Even today, everyone within Juventus remained convinced that Spalletti is the right coach to move forward with, and no other options are being considered."
After their win in Salzburg, Milan will face Bournemouth in the Europa League. Ruben Amorim is expected to rotate his squad, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. Tomori is set to start, while several players are pushing for opportunities in midfield, including Jashari, Loftus-Cheek, Bartesaghi, and Hutchinson. Cisse will play, while Ramos is favored over Camarda up front.
Inter are preparing for their clash with Shakhtar as they look to get back among the points in Europe after their heavy defeat to Brugge. As reported by Gazzetta dello Sport, Chivu is considering an aggressive line-up with Calhanoglu in midfield, Barella alongside him, and either Zielinski or an increasingly impressive Mkhitaryan on the other side. Diouf and Dimarco will occupy the flanks, with Bonny pushing for a place. A decision on the goalkeeper, meanwhile, will be made at the last minute.
Tensions rising within Napoli's squad dynamics
There could be a De Bruyne issue brewing at Napoli, with the Belgian involved in an argument with Allegri after the Villarreal match. Manna dismissed the reports as bar-room gossip, but Il Mattino suggests something may have broken down. The smiles and rapport with the squad have disappeared, and his performance in Venice was very poor, even aside from the missed penalty.
Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini discussed the one-year contract extension he signed in the summer. Here is what he said at the press conference: "The one-year extension was a decision that, well, we made—that the club made and I accepted. It's as simple as that."
No Points for Excuses
Everyone is scoring for Lazio: goals from Provstgaard and Dele-Bashiru against Juventus took the Biancocelesti to 10 different scorers, a tally no team in Italy can better. Inter also have 10, level with Gattuso's side, while in Europe only Brighton have 11 different scorers.
Fiorentina continue to protest Di Bello's decisions against Como. The club has sent the league a request for clarification over Liberali's goal, while the leadership of the Italian Referees' Association were unhappy with Di Bello's officiating.
