Luciano Spalletti’s Frosty Exchange With Manuel Locatelli During Juventus Win Revealed

A journalist lifted the lid on an awkward exchange between Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti and Manuel Locatelli.

Luciano Spalletti Message To Manuel Locatelli

Spalletti’s side made it three wins in a row in Serie A after beating Pisa 2-0 on Saturday night.

Surviving a major scare after the hosts twice hit the woodwork, the Old Lady took a late lead through Pierre Kalulu before Kenan Yildiz wrapped up the three points, moving them up to third place.

Edon Zeghrova was introduced to devastating effect just after the hour mark, leading pundits to credit him as the reason behind the victory.

The winger came on at the expense of captain Locatelli, who looked notably bemused by the change.

As he walked off the pitch, the 27-year-old approached Spalletti, asking for an explanation for his decision.

However, the head coach did not want to entertain a discussion and dismissed the midfielder after a handshake.

“Go, go to the bench,” he told Locatelli, according to DAZN’s pitchside correspondent.

Post-match, Spalletti confirmed that the swap had been a result of Locatelli’s yellow card, with Teun Koopmeiners preferred alongside Khephren Thuram in the centre of the pitch instead.

The 66-year-old did not, however, issue an explanation for his curt response to his player.

Luciano Spalletti Dropped Manuel Locatelli

Spalletti notoriously omitted Locatelli from his Italy squad for Euro 2024, despite his good form at club level.

Locatelli later admitted his ‘enormous disappointment’ with the snub, which came after the former Azzurri boss decided he did not fit effectively into his plans.

But regardless, the midfielder has played regularly under Spalletti since his appointment in Turin in October.

Last month, Locatelli even declared there was no lingering tension between the two men.

“Everything is fine with the coach, I am at his disposal,” he said.

“We both have the same objective, which is to do well for Juve.”

According to Calciomercato, Spalletti has been unimpressed with Locatelli’s performances, believing he is not proactive enough. As a result, Juventus could consider offloading him in January.

Either way, the club face a turning point. Backing Locatelli over the head coach would certainly help to unite the dressing room and ensure continuity, albeit at the risk of alienating the man calling the shots.

Spalletti, of course, only signed a contract running until the end of the season. Should he be kept on beyond the summer, Juventus would have to adapt their squad to suit his preferred style.

A big decision awaits.