{"id":6657,"date":"2026-01-22T05:03:57","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T05:03:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/juventus-tension-was-building-our-radar-must-always-be-online-after-2-0-victory\/"},"modified":"2026-01-22T05:03:57","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T05:03:57","slug":"juventus-tension-was-building-our-radar-must-always-be-online-after-2-0-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/juventus-tension-was-building-our-radar-must-always-be-online-after-2-0-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Juventus tension was building, our radar must always be online’ after 2-0 victory"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"TURIN,<\/picture><\/div>\n

TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 21: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025\/26 League Phase MD7 match between Juventus and SL Benfica at Juventus Stadium on January 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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Luciano Spalletti explained some of the \u2018tension\u2019 with Juventus fans during tonight\u2019s 2-0 win over Benfica and where his team must improve. \u2018Our radar must always be online.\u2019<\/p>\n

The Bianconeri took a while to break Jose Mourinho\u2019s Benfica down in Turin, but thanked their midfielders Khephren Thuram and Weston McKennie for finally finding a way through.<\/p>\n

They were also grateful for the state of the Allianz Juventus Stadium turf, because it fell apart beneath the studs of Vangelis Pavlidis, who slipped when taking a penalty that could\u2019ve opened it all up again.<\/p>\n

Spalletti pleased with Juventus win, but wants progress<\/h2>\n
\"TURIN,
TURIN, ITALY \u2013 JANUARY 21: Khephren Thuram of Juventus greets teammate Pierre Kalulu following the UEFA Champions League 2025\/26 League Phase MD7 match between Juventus and SL Benfica at Juventus Stadium on January 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cAt times I am a little afraid we won\u2019t make it, but that\u2019s just what I am like,\u201d Spalletti told Amazon Prime Video Italia after some irritation with supporters in the stands.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was an important match, things get thrown in your direction if you don\u2019t bring these results home, so there is a lot of tension that builds up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had started well, then it was balanced with us sitting a little too deep, we lost the ball a few times far too cheaply, and that added even more pressure on us that was unnecessary.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spalletti introduced Francisco Conceicao for Fabio Miretti after the restart, and things did improve.<\/p>\n

\"TURIN,
TURIN, ITALY \u2013 JANUARY 21: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus is challenged by Amar Dedic of Benfica during the UEFA Champions League 2025\/26 League Phase MD7 match between Juventus and SL Benfica at Juventus Stadium on January 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWe had some difficulty too at the start of the second half, but then we got back to playing our football. Benfica had chances in the first half, but so did we with Miretti and McKennie.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was in the balance, if they had converted that penalty late on then it could\u2019ve been a tense finale, we could\u2019ve avoided giving that spot-kick away, because you don\u2019t have to go in for the tackle every time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Juventus 2-0 Benfica<\/strong><\/p>\n

Spalletti took over Juventus mid-season from Igor Tudor and has made a lot of changes, but where does he still think they need to improve?<\/p>\n

\u201cI expect to see a quicker reaction, a quicker prediction of when the opponents are going to come back at you, because that ferocity is part and parcel of modern football now.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to have our radar always online, instead we lost the ball too often because we were frenetic, we made the ball \u2018cough\u2019 with our stuttering passes.<\/p>\n

\u201cBenfica tried to attack us, these are things we\u2019ve got to get used to if we want to play at a certain level, although I have to say I\u2019ve seen definite improvements.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"TURIN,
TURIN, ITALY \u2013 JANUARY 21: Players of Juventus pose for a team group photo prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025\/26 League Phase MD7 match between Juventus and SL Benfica at Juventus Stadium on January 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jonathan David was again used as the centre-forward, but he missed a sitter with a weak free header.<\/p>\n

\u201cDavid knows how to play football,\u201d replied Spalletti. \u201cHe might not have that determination and ferocity, in his view every match is the same, he has this nice boy aura, but maybe he needs a bit more experience to be more determined. That is where he has to improve.<\/p>\n

\u201cApart from the goal, the match is a box you need to fill with other things too, otherwise the opponents force you to scramble in defence.<\/p>\n

\u201cKenan Yildiz is the \u2018alien\u2019 of the team, the one who really stands above, but his defensive movements are not going to be the same as those of McKennie. Knowing how to do certain things and not others isn\u2019t enough anymore, you have to complete your game and help the team.<\/p>\n

\u201cDavid at times has to hold the ball up and work for the team, the same goes for Openda.\u201d<\/p>\n

This result means Juve are on 12 points and in 15th<\/sup> place in the Champions League table, going into the final game away to Paul Pogba\u2019s AS Monaco.<\/p>\n

They have now essentially secured a spot in the play-offs, but are hoping to be top seeds in the draw.<\/p>\n

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