The former coach analyzes Fiorentina-Juve next Saturday: “The Viola need a spark to get going again.” And on algorithms: “People must come before everything else.”
“Fiorentina needs a spark, Juve needs goals from its strikers.” This is how Cesare Prandelli sums up the match closest to his heart: on the one hand, his six years as a player in black and white, half of which alongside Michel Platini, and on the other, his six seasons (2005-10 and 2020-21) on the Viola bench. “Spalletti’s influence is already visible, but Saturday will be difficult and risky for Juve. In Florence, it’s the match of the year, and there’s no better opportunity than this to turn things around and start climbing up from last place,” assures the former coach of Italy’s 2012 European Championship runners-up.
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 it from Pioli, who is a great coach. If Stefano couldn’t do it, there’s definitely a problem. Vanoli is not a newcomer, I hope he finds solutions quickly.“
What is Juventus’ problem?
”Probably in recent years they have looked for players first and men second. And when that’s the case, you need luck to win.”
Are you intrigued by the algorithms of Comolli, the new Juventus CEO?
“There has to be curiosity, as long as you put the man before any number or formation. Spalletti, who is an experienced and successful coach, is already proving this at Juventus.”
Are you referring to Koopmeiners in defense, the Juventus “Spallettata”?
“Koop needs space in front of him, he can’t play right wing. Luciano is a showman and has sensitivity. In fact, after a training session, he moved the Dutchman back and used him as an additional playmaker. Spalletti opened up the field for Koopmeiners. He was courageous, but above all, he was clever. I imagine Koop less in a four-man defense, but it’s dangerous to set limits.”
Spalletti replaced Tudor and immediately announced his desire to get back into the race for the Scudetto: too optimistic?
“He coaches Juventus, it’s right to be ambitious. The anomaly was hearing talk of fourth place in the past. Luciano spoke like a Juve man, Boniperti would have appreciated him as a coach. I too am convinced that the Bianconeri with Spalletti can get back into the Scudetto race.”
Comolli said that the Juventus he fell in love with was the one that supplied Bearzot’s Italy in 1982: is a more Italian-based team still possible?
“Yes, but you have to plan at youth level and then bring some Italians back from abroad. If I were Juventus, I would start with Tonali.”
Vlahovic is doubtful for the big match against Fiorentina, while another former player, Kean, is recovering: which is more important?
“Juventus would lose a lot without Dusan, and Spalletti knows it. Kean needs playing time to be devastating: when he gets it, he scores in bursts like last season.”
If Vlahovic doesn’t recover, would it be better to replace him with David (one goal), Openda (zero) or with a “Spallettata” 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 skilled dribbler: although he has a different style, I see him more like Kvara, starting from the left in a 4-3-3 formation. Luciano’s teams play according to their strikers and score a lot; Juve needs goals from its forwards. If Vlahovic doesn’t recover, David would have a good chance: one not to be wasted. I repeat, Spalletti needs goals from his strikers to change gear at Juventus.“
Openda hasn’t scored in seven months: what would you do to get him going?
”Pushing him out wide could 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 targeted training.“ Can 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 mix of balance and determination.”
Gattuso doesn’t have a Sinner. Is he worried about Italy and the risk of missing another World Cup after the defeat against Norway?
“We should all be worried. I agree with Gattuso, in the second half, fear and caution prevailed against Norway. I remain optimistic about the World Cup.”
What did you think of Conte’s smart working approach—him in Turin last week, the team in Naples?
“The coach always helps everyone, but who helps the coach? I agree with Antonio, it’s right to take a break every now and then. Especially if you give your all like he does.”
Serie A restarts with the Milan derby: any predictions?
“I expect a lot of goals.”
Can Roma, currently at the top of the table, dream of winning the Scudetto with Gasperini?
“Yes, because the team has already assimilated Gasp’s style of football. Then it will depend on the next few games, on who arrives thanks to the transfer market, and also on Inter.”
