The former national team coach analyzes next Saturday’s Fiorentina-Juve match: “The Viola need a spark to get back on track.” And on algorithms: “People must come first”
“Fiorentina needs a spark; Juve needs goals from its forwards.” This is how Cesare Prandelli describes the match closest to his heart: on one side, his six years as a player in black and white, half of which were spent alongside Michel Platini; on the other, his six seasons (2005–10 and 2020–21) on the Viola bench. “Spalletti’s influence is already evident, but Saturday will be a tough and risky match for Juventus. In Florence, it’s the game of the year, and there’s no better opportunity than this to turn things around and begin the climb out of last place,” assures the former Italy national team coach, whose side finished as runners-up at the 2012 European Championship.
It’s only November, but Juventus and Fiorentina have already changed coaches: what surprises you the most?
“Fiorentina is in last place in Serie A. Vanoli inherited the team from Pioli, who is a great coach. If Stefano hasn’t managed to turn things around, there’s definitely a problem. Vanoli isn’t a newcomer; I hope he finds solutions quickly.”
What’s the problem with Juventus?
“In recent years, they’ve probably prioritized players over character. And when that happens, you need luck to win.”
Are you intrigued by the algorithms of Comolli, the new Juventus CEO?
“Curiosity is fine, as long as you put the person before any numbers or formations. Spalletti, who is an experienced and successful coach, is already proving that at Juventus, too.”
Are you referring to Koopmeiners in defense—Juventus’s ‘Spalletti-style’ move?
“Koop needs space in front of him; he can’t play right wing. Luciano is a showman and has a good feel for the game—in fact, after a practice session, he moved the Dutchman back and used him as an additional playmaker. Spalletti opened up the field for Koopmeiners; he showed courage, but above all, he was clever. I can’t really see Koop in a back four, but we shouldn’t set limits for ourselves.”
Spalletti replaced Tudor and immediately announced his desire to get back in the Scudetto race: is that too optimistic?
“He’s coaching Juventus—it’s only right to be ambitious. It was unusual to hear talk of a fourth-place finish in the past. Luciano spoke like a true Juve man; Boniperti would have appreciated him as a coach. I, too, am convinced that with Spalletti, the Bianconeri can get back in the Scudetto race.”
Comolli said that the Juventus he fell in love with was the one that supplied Italy with Bearzot in 1982: is an even more “Azzurra” Juventus still possible?
“Yes, but you have to plan at the youth academy level and then bring some Italians back home from abroad. If I were Juventus, I’d start with Tonali.”
Vlahovic is questionable for the big match against Fiorentina, while the other big former player, Kean, is recovering: which is the bigger concern?
“Juventus would lose a lot without Dusan, and Spalletti knows it. Kean needs space on the field to be devastating: when he has it, he scores in bunches like he did last season.”
If Vlahovic doesn’t recover, would it be better to replace him with David (one goal), Openda (zero), or with a “Spalletti-style” move like Yildiz as a false nine à la Totti?
“Yildiz is a great talent, but he doesn’t have Francesco’s goal-scoring instinct. The Turkish player is a playmaker skilled at dribbling: although his style is different, I see him more like Kvara, starting from the left in a 4-3-3. Luciano’s teams play around their strikers and score a lot; Juve needs goals from its forwards. If Vlahovic doesn’t recover, David would have a great opportunity—one not to be wasted. I’ll say it again: Spalletti needs goals from his strikers to take Juventus to the next level.“
Openda hasn’t scored in seven months: what would you do to get him back on track?
”Playing him wider might take the pressure off him to score, but seven months is a long time: the problem is more psychological than technical. Spalletti will have to find the right words and design targeted training sessions.”
Could Yildiz be Spalletti’s Sinner?
“Yildiz is Yildiz—a great talent. Rather than looking for ‘Sinners’ in soccer, we should understand how Jannik became Sinner—the perfect blend of balance and determination.”
Gattuso doesn’t have a Sinner on his team. Is he worried about Italy and the risk of missing another World Cup after the loss to Norway?
“We should all be worried. I agree with Gattuso—in the second half, timidity and fear got the better of us against Norway. I remain optimistic about the World Cup.”
What did you think of Conte’s “remote coaching”—him in Turin last week, the team in Naples?
“The coach always helps everyone, but who helps the coach? I’m with Antonio—it’s good to take a break every now and then. Especially if you give it your all like he does.”
Serie A kicks off again with the Milan derby: any predictions?
“I expect a lot of goals.”
Can Roma, currently in first place, dream of the Scudetto under Gasperini?
“Yes, because the team has already adapted to Gasp’s style of play; it will depend on the upcoming matches, on who arrives via the transfer market, and also on Inter.”
