Spalletti: "Juve fine with new system, but I won't sleep tonight because of that second half"

Spalletti praised Douglas Luiz's performance in Juventus's 2-0 win at Lecce but expressed concern about a poor second-half display that will keep him awake tonight.

Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti secured a 2-0 victory at Lecce on 25 October 2026, bouncing back from a home defeat to Lazio and a Europa League draw with Rennes. Spalletti was pleased with his side's first-half performance, highlighting the intensity and chances created, but admitted the second half troubled him deeply.

"I won't sleep tonight because of that second half," Spalletti told DAZN. He explained that Juventus lost intensity and courage after going two goals up, becoming too cautious and passing back to the goalkeeper too often. The manager praised midfielder Douglas Luiz for his work rate and technical quality, noting his ability to move the ball quickly and anticipate play, though he acknowledged Luiz is still adapting to the faster tempo required in modern football.

Spalletti also discussed the tactical shift to a 5-3-2 formation, introduced after Thursday's Rennes draw following a team meeting. He said the new system has provided greater defensive solidity from the first training session, reducing the defensive vulnerabilities that plagued earlier performances. However, he stressed that in the second half, Juventus abandoned the intensity needed to close out the match, despite their two-goal advantage.