Juventus back Spalletti despite Lazio defeat and Tudor comparison

Juventus are not planning to dismiss Luciano Spalletti immediately after their 3-0 home defeat by Lazio, Stadiosport.it reports. The result has intensified scrutiny of the coach, but the club’s reported preference is to continue backing him as he works to rebuild the team’s direction.

The league table adds to the pressure. Juventus are eighth with 11 points from seven matches, eight behind the leaders, according to Stadiosport.it. At the same point last season, Igor Tudor’s side had 12 points and sat four points off the top, the outlet reports. La Gazzetta dello Sport has also highlighted the comparison: Tudor was dismissed after Juventus lost 1-0 to Lazio in the following round.

This time, Lazio won in Turin through goals from Oliver Provstgaard, Gustav Isaksen and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Stadiosport.it reports. The outlet says Juventus struggled to turn possession into dangerous chances and had difficulty responding after falling behind. The defeat has sharpened the resemblance to the circumstances around Tudor’s exit, even though the club’s reported response is different for now.

Stadiosport.it says Giovanni Carnevali reiterated his confidence in Spalletti in recent weeks, arguing for patience and continuity. The report also points to Spalletti’s relationship with John Elkann as a factor in his favour. Juventus retained the coach after missing Champions League qualification last season and have committed to a contract running until 30 June 2028, with his pay set to reach €5 million net, according to the outlet.

The results have not yet repaid that commitment. Juventus have scored nine goals and conceded eight in seven league games. Stadiosport.it ranks their attack joint tenth, alongside Lecce, Udinese and Monza, and describes a team still searching for a stable tactical identity amid changes between three- and four-man defences and different attacking approaches.

Spalletti has acknowledged that the team lacks rhythm, ideas and a response to setbacks, the outlet reports, and said changes to daily work are needed. Stadiosport.it also describes signs of nervousness and difficulty recovering after conceding. Those concerns make the challenge more than a question of formation: Spalletti needs improved performances as well as points to justify the patience Juventus are showing him.

A European meeting with Rennes comes next, according to Stadiosport.it, before Juventus travel to Lecce on Sunday 25 October at 18:00 CET. The immediate dismissal of Spalletti is not reported to be in the club’s plans, but the comparison with Tudor gives the next results extra significance.