flag
back Back
Spalletti frustrated with Juventus’ ‘backwards’ second-half display
Spalletti frustrated with Juventus’ ‘backwards’ second-half display

Luciano Spalletti was left frustrated by Juventus' second-half display in their 2-0 win over Lecce.

Douglas Luiz scored and assisted as Juventus got back to winning ways in Serie A on Sunday.

Juventus generated chances worth 0.81 expected goals in the first half, yet after the break, that figure was down to 0.26 xG.

Lecce had 12 shots in the second half and got four of those on target, leaving Spalletti to lament his team's display.

"The players played a very good game in terms of pace and playing openly," Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.

"We dropped off a bit in terms of our management in the second half and then everything became more difficult because we had less courage. We needed to do the same things as we did in the first half.

"We found this system, which brings solidity, and we're happy with that because we immediately saw a better team performance. The second half, however, we seemed to go backwards."

Spalletti did, though, laud Luiz for his performance.

Luiz was the only player to create more than one chance (two) for Juventus, while he also had the most touches (94), accurate passes (64/78) and passes in the final third (28) of anyone else on the team.

Spalletti said: "He had a great game today, he fought and ran, he battled on all sides, and he helped clean up certain situations when we needed him to."

You may like

The Truth on Nebraska's Football Season from Brett Ciancia of Pick Six Previews

si.com 14 hours ago

Hull 1-1 Brentford: What Andrews said

aol.com 6 hours ago

'Stephan might have hit on a winning formula'

bbc.co.uk 3 hours ago

Everything Randy Bennett, Arizona State Said After Their 91-86 Exhibition Win In New Mexico

si.com 15 hours ago

Matthew Stafford praises Colby Parkinson for 'unbelievable' toughness

aol.com 13 hours ago

England 'gutted', but McCullum sees lessons in twin defeats

cricbuzz.com 11 hours ago

Mike Hawkins Jr. Sends a Message to WVU Fans: 'Our Best Ball Is Ahead of Us'

si.com 4 hours ago

Rose on Kroupi fitness, relief of unbeaten run and Foley's ambition

aol.com 2 hours ago

J.J. McCarthy’s redemption arc is bad news for the Vikings

sbnation.com 4 hours ago

In-form Ward eyeing further Jersey progress

aol.com 31 minutes ago