Juventus played to a 0-0 draw against Basel in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, a match notable for being the first under new manager Luciano Spalletti and featuring former Juventus player Stephan Lichtsteiner as the Basel coach. Spalletti expressed satisfaction with the performance, acknowledging the team is still early in their preparations and missing several key players.
The Italian manager addressed the media following the match at St. Jakob-Park, providing updates on player fitness. New signing Jeff Ekhator was forced off with an injury after just 30 minutes, prompting concern from Spalletti who stated, “We hope he hasn’t hurt himself.” He added that Ekhator had struggled to settle into the team before the injury, feeling discomfort behind his leg.
Spalletti also focused on the performances of several individuals, specifically highlighting Douglas Luiz. The Brazilian midfielder, who previously played for Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa on loan, is looking to impress after a couple of underwhelming seasons. Spalletti noted positive signs, but urged Luiz to increase his work rate and fully utilize his abilities, stating he needs to “raise the gears” and contribute more physically to the team.
Regarding goalkeeping options, Spalletti confirmed the club is actively pursuing competition for the number one spot, with Mike Maignan of AC Milan and Guglielmo Vicario previously linked. He commented on current goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, stating the club wants competition in every position and will evaluate the situation further. The manager also praised the young players on display, emphasizing the need for them to demonstrate character and take responsibility.
Former Juventus player Lichtsteiner, now managing Basel, expressed confidence in Spalletti’s ability to return the club to Champions League contention. He reflected fondly on his time in Turin, highlighting the pressure to win as a defining characteristic of the club. Lichtsteiner also identified Locatelli and Cambiaso as standout players in the Juventus squad.
Finally, forward Jeremie Boga spoke of his positive feelings returning to play and his desire to contribute to the team. Boga also mentioned the possibility of Franck Kessie joining Juventus, expressing his happiness at the prospect of playing alongside his compatriot.
