Luciano Spalletti warns Juventus must ‘rip those spaces open’ in the Benfica penalty area and be more determined in front of goal ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash.
It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
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You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Atalanta-Athletic Club on the Liveblog.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 12: Juventus FC head coach Luciano Spalletti looks on during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Cremonese at Allianz Stadium on January 12, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
These two teams had a fairly similar issue in Europe this season, getting off to dismal starts, but then winning their last two matches in 2025.
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The Bianconeri scraped just three draws in the opening four rounds, while Benfica managed to lose their first four games, but then beat Ajax and Napoli by 2-0 results.
Spalletti takes on Mourinho’s Benfica
SASSUOLO, ITALY – JANUARY 06: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Juventus FC at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on January 06, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
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“I think we will see both teams engage in both phases, attacking and defending,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.
“I also believe that if we leave the initiative to them, with their spiderweb of passing, players accustomed to moving the ball in tight spaces, forcing us back could create problems.
“We therefore ought to take more of the initiative. That doesn’t necessarily mean pinning them back into their penalty area, but not allowing them the time and space to control the tempo.”
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BOLOGNA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on as he leaves the dugout for half-time during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Juventus FC at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Dusan Vlahovic and Daniele Rugani are still on the treatment table, so Jonathan David is backed to start yet again rather than Lois Openda.
There have certainly been improvements since moving to a 4-2-3-1 formation, but Juve lost 1-0 to Cagliari at the weekend, despite dominating possession.
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“We must continue to exchange roles, move around, imagining the spaces and taking those positions. We must at the same time also maintain a balance, as when there are rapid counter-attacks, you have to get back into position,” noted Spalletti.
“Inside the penalty area, as we’ve said many times, we need to do better. The penalty area is territory to be conquered, there are no spaces open in there, you have to rip those spaces open and create them.”
