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It is still a sixth-placed Juventus: what lies behind Spalletti's broadside at Kolo Muani

Juventus win at Frosinone, but show their usual limitations. And Spalletti asks for reinforcements

The usual Juventus, the usual Spalletti, the usual transfer market. Juventus' league opener gave their fans three points and a sense of deja vu. The win away to Frosinone looked for long spells like a carbon copy of so many Juve matches from last season: one goal scored, plenty of chances missed to make it 2-0, then the risk of being pegged back in an increasingly uncomfortable finale. A magnificent Bremer secured the win at both ends of the pitch. But will it be enough against other opponents? Doubt is legitimate.

Luciano Spalletti seems to have his doubts too. Again, that is nothing new: throughout his career, the manager has never minced his words. Even with his refined, metaphor-heavy way of speaking, Spalletti is sending clear messages to the club hierarchy. And clear requests. Of everything said after the match, what lingers are the broadsides (as encouragement?) for Randal Kolo Muani, the firm stance on Conceicao, the profile of the new striker to be found on the transfer market. Let us sum up Spalletti's thinking:

The Spalletti way of thinking
On Kolo Muani: "We went out and got Randal and we looked after him, we know his value. But he also has to realise that, if he has not been playing for two years, there must be a reason. Sometimes you think you are at an exceptional level and then leave something behind. In matches like this he has to bring home some goals because he had the right spaces. He will give us back what he did not give us here."

On Conceicao: "For me, Conceicao is not for sale. There was a moment when all of us were on the market, me too because we did not qualify for the Champions League. Then the directors balanced the books. Conceicao is a strong player whom we want to keep."

On the market and the new striker: "The directors will certainly be active and will assess what happens during the week, but we could also stay as we are. We are still a strong team, and almost strong if, as today, certain situations are not finished off. The striker we are looking for could be one with different characteristics, because he likes to run into space. Then there are matches that are played in the final 20 minutes, when you need something different if teams sit deep."

FROM SIXTH PLACE
You wonder what Carnevali, Massara and Ottolini make of it.Above all, you wonder what John Elkann makes of it, given that last Monday, in the friendly against Next Gen, he had sat on the bench next to Spalletti and then, at the end of the match, had pointed to victory as Juventus's eternal mission, and therefore also that of this year's Juve, even in the middle of a rebuild.

Yet the Juve on show yesterday, and Spalletti's concerns, suggest this side are still a team built for sixth place, fourth at best.Will Spalletti's work on the training ground and the final nine days of the transfer window be enough to change the present and the destiny of this Juve?

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Translated by

The Spalletti way of thinking

FROM SIXTH PLACE

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