Luciano Spalletti has described Juventus’ upcoming Europa League encounter against Rennes as a vital maturity test for his squad. The Bianconeri currently lead the league phase standings after winning their opening two fixtures, though their domestic league performances have experienced recent struggles.
Domestic Struggles Contrast European Success
Juventus sit at the summit of the Europa League table following a dominant 5-0 victory over NEC and a 2-1 win against Celta Vigo. However, their form in Serie A has taken a hit, leaving them eighth in the standings after seven matches. This drop follows a heavy 3-0 home defeat to Lazio, a team currently sitting eight points ahead of Juve in second place and level on points with league leaders Inter.
Furthermore, the Turin side has suffered two losses in their previous five Serie A home matches, claiming two wins and a draw. This equals the number of home defeats they experienced across their prior 44 top-flight games at the Allianz Stadium, where they secured 24 victories and 18 draws. Despite these domestic difficulties, Juventus enter the fixture having won their last four home matches in major European competitions, scoring 12 goals and conceding just two.
Addressing the Discrepancy
When questioned about the contrasting results between domestic and European fixtures, Spalletti explained that each game writes its own story and requires a proper reaction to the opponent’s strategy.
“There’s no specific reason. Every match has its own history, and you have to react to what the opposition brings each time,” Spalletti stated.
“You need to understand the consequences of their approach and know when to press and when to stick back. We have to be more decisive when we make a choice.”
Assessing the Threat of Rennes
Looking ahead to the opponent, Spalletti highlighted the physical strength and attacking capabilities of the French side, noting their current standing in Ligue 1.
“Rennes is strong on the open field and physically,” Spalletti said. “They have fast attackers and the [Ligue 1] top scorer, Lepaul. They are having a good season; they are sixth, but one point below the top spot, so they have enthusiasm, and for us it is a maturity test.”
“We must be good at determining things with our attitude.”
The two clubs previously crossed paths in the 1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup final, where the Italian side triumphed 4-2 on aggregate following a 2-0 home win and a 2-2 away draw. Historically, Rennes have struggled on Italian soil in European competitions, losing all four of their away matches in the country against four different opponents: Juventus, Udinese, Lazio, and AC Milan.
Source: SoccerNews
