Capello Champions Spalletti Stay at Juve Amid Penalty Farce and Top-Four Thriller
Fabio Capello backs Juventus extending Luciano Spalletti's contract regardless of Champions League qualification, despite their recent 1-1 draw with Sassuolo and a controversial penalty miss by Manuel Locatelli. The Bianconeri trail Cesc Fabregas' Como by three points in the top-four race, with Roma and Atalanta also lurking. Capello highlights squad inconsistencies but urges belief in the scramble.
Capello Champions Spalletti Stay at Juve Amid Penalty Farce and Top-Four Thriller
Picture this: Juventus stuttering in Serie A, a penalty pinged wide, and the ghost of Fabio Capello swooping in with his no-nonsense wisdom. The Old Lady's weekend 1-1 draw with Sassuolo has left them three points adrift of fourth-placed Como, but Capello insists it's time to lock in Luciano Spalletti for the long haul – Champions League spot or not.
The legendary gaffer, chatting to Gazzetta dello Sport, reckons Juve have seen enough from Spalletti to extend his deal before the season's dust settles. "He's brought something fresh," Capello notes, even if a few dodgy results have crept in. But don't get too comfy, Bianconeri fans – missing the top four could cramp the transfer wallet and sour the squad's vibe.
Penalty Pandemonium: Who Grabs the Ball Next?
The drama peaked at the Allianz Stadium, where Manuel Locatelli's spot-kick was swatted away by Arijanet Muric, condemning Juve to another frustrating point. As reported by Lorenzo Bettoni and Susy Campanale at Football Italia, it wasn't straightforward. Kenan Yildiz had the ball in hand, ready to roll, but whispers say Dusan Vlahovic – fresh off a long injury layoff – piped up for a go too.
Spalletti backed his midfielder post-match on DAZN Italia: Locatelli's the designated taker, and confidence is king. Fair play, but it's the third consecutive Serie A penno they've fluffed, with Yildiz and Jonathan David already on the naughty list. Vlahovic, rusty as a '90s Nokia, might've been a gamble anyway – he nailed his only prior effort this term against Udinese.
Locatelli's record wasn't shabby either: two out of two in Champions League and Coppa Italia, plus that clutch strike vs Venezia last season. Still, the indecision reeks of a squad short on leaders when the pressure's on. Ouch.
Top-Four Scrap: Como's Party Poopers?
Juve sit on 54 points, cheek-by-jowl with Roma, but Como's 5-0 thrashing of Pisa has them purring three clear. Cesc Fabregas has the Lariani on a high, scoring for fun despite the odd overly fancy trick. Capello warns: that head-to-head edge makes Como's lead feel like four points.
Roma scraped past Lecce but looked leggy after Europa League woes, missing stars like Soulé and Dybala. Atalanta, lurking on 50 points in seventh, nicked a win and stay in the hunt. Plenty of fixtures left, mind – it's a proper dogfight.
Capello dissected Juve's Sassuolo showing too. Yildiz netted but faded like a cheap tattoo in the second half, shirking the hero role. Francisco Conceição bossed the right flank, but it wasn't enough. Late cameos for Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik (injury returnees), while Lois Openda and David warmed the bench – false nines are trendy, but Spalletti clearly rates the benchwarmers lower.
Spalletti's magic has steadied Juve, but the clock's ticking. Extend now, says Capello, and plot a transfer splash. Botch the top four? It'll sting. With Como flying and rivals snapping, this title charge – sorry, top-four charge – is juicier than a post-match kebab. Buckle up, lads; it's going down to the wire.