According to journalist Di Marzio, Juventus is about to begin their Europa League campaign, and manager Spalletti explicitly stated at the pre-match press conference that he wants McKennie on the pitch from the start, confirming that the player will start against NEC Nijmegen.

Following a heavy defeat to Sassuolo in their last league match, Spalletti's Juventus will restart their season in the Europa League. At 3 a.m. CEST on Friday, the Bianconeri will face NEC Nijmegen at the Allianz Stadium, officially launching their European campaign this season. Juventus entered the Europa League last season with great disappointment after failing to qualify for the Champions League. However, in their two previous Europa League campaigns in recent years, the Bianconeri reached the semi-finals on both occasions.

The first time was in the 2013/14 season, when Antonio Conte's Juventus were eliminated by Benfica—a particularly bitter exit, as the final was supposed to be held at Juventus's stadium, the Allianz Stadium. Then, in the 2022/23 season, Massimiliano Allegri's Juventus fell in the semi-finals again, this time losing to Seville. Now, as emphasized by the Bianconeri leadership, the Europa League represents a new opportunity—to win this international trophy that Turin hasn't touched since 1996, while also securing direct qualification for next season's Champions League.

On the eve of their European debut, Spalletti spoke first about the opposition: "Nijmegen's manager Schjelderup is a high-level coach who has implemented his philosophy in a country with developed football. He has successfully established and maintained a distinctive, recognizable style of play, and he even won a third-division championship. We must anticipate that he will bring a unique game plan in terms of tactical quality and specific execution. We must be prepared. The most obvious point is that Nijmegen scores an average of two goals per game, which fully illustrates the type of team we will face. They also have strong players like Nuytinck and Tadić."

Regarding the match against Sassuolo, Spalletti said: "We remain focused and clear-headed, understanding that there are indeed areas that need improvement. The team needs to be more compact, block some of the opponent's passing lanes, and know when to press. The reason is increasingly less about general tactics, because when problems arise, tactics are no longer the main element to reflect on. What really makes the difference is more about how you interpret the situation on the pitch. It's essential to maintain mental rhythm and quality of play, which can help overcome difficulties."

Regarding the atmosphere and his personal situation, Spalletti said: "Accepting pressure is a good remedy for learning to survive. I learned that a few years after entering the coaching profession, because I had to support my family from an early age. The current situation doesn't worry me at all. The noise generated after a defeat is a process I can't control, so it doesn't interest me. In my own mind, I decide which thoughts can occupy space and which cannot. If I start listening to everything from outside, I will lose my way. You must remain authentic and embrace your emotions. You can't be understood by everyone; you'll only do what you believe is beneficial for the club and the team."

The Bianconeri manager responded again about the defeat to Sassuolo and his relationship with Carnevali: "We have some urgent tasks, and the most pressing is winning tomorrow's match. Not only that, but we must prove on the pitch that we are Juventus. Carnevali is a man who understands football and is composed. He knows exactly what needs to be done, and he needs to convey that calm to the team so they can work consistently. I won't let him down; I'll be what he expects. Through our mutual respect and friendship, I cannot disappoint him."

Finally, regarding McKennie and Cambiaso, who have returned to full training, Spalletti revealed: "We have two or three players who might not be able to play the full match, so we can't put them all in at once. I asked McKennie to play from the start, so he will start tomorrow."

Traduzido por IA.

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