Spalletti plays down Juventus contract talk and says Vlahovic is available for Genoa
Quick summary
Luciano Spalletti said Juventus are fully focused on the run-in for Champions League qualification and dismissed urgency around his contract situation. He also confirmed Dusan Vlahovic is fit enough to be available against Genoa, though unlikely to start.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceLuciano Spalletti shrugs off Juventus contract talk and is glad to reunite with ‘son’ Daniele De Rossi, but Italy players are ‘tied to disappointment like a leash’ after World Cup failure.
Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News – Free Trial – Click Here The Bianconeri host Genoa on Monday at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST).
They went into the break for international duty in joint fifth place with Roma, three points adrift of high-flying Como, so it’s going to be a fight to the end for Champions League qualification.
Spalletti keeps focus on Juventus targets TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Head Coach Luciano Spalletti of Juventus FC looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Juventus and Galatasaray A.S. at Juventus Stadium on February 25, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images) “It is an important final sprint, but that’s a normal standard for us, so when you say there are eight Finals, that’s what it should always be for Juventus,” said Spalletti in his press conference.
“We must be ready to give our best, and there is no margin for error, as we’ll need to win practically every game to get there, starting with a very difficult Genoa.”
It had been reported that Spalletti would sign a new contract with Juventus during the break, but there is no announcement yet.
“I don’t understand why you care so much about this. We’ve got a perfectly fine rapport and there will be the opportunity to discuss it, we don’t need to do it all now. It has to come naturally.”
Vlahovic made his comeback a couple of weeks ago from that serious injury and could even potentially be in the starting XI on Monday.
“He trained well and is available, but I doubt he’ll be able to start. He could give us a hand,” added Spalletti.
“Jeremie Boga showed what he is capable of, he is a very quick player with these bursts of pace, but doesn’t love physical contact. We are happy to have him here.”
Genoa are now coached by Daniele De Rossi, who worked with Spalletti as a player at Roma.
“Daniele is one of my football children, and I care for him just as I think he cares for me. At the same time, as with all father-son relationships, sometimes I got on his nerves.
“It is a Genoa side suited to De Rossi, because you can see his characteristics and mentality in the squad.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between Atalanta BC and Juventus FC at the New Balance Arena on February 05, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Inevitably, the questions turned towards the failure of Italy to qualify for a third consecutive edition of the World Cup, losing the play-offs to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It was particularly pointed here, considering Spalletti started the campaign and was fired after two games to make way for Gennaro Gattuso.
“Obviously, those who did qualify returned to base happier and those who didn’t are tied to disappointment like a leash,” said Spalletti.
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) “I know everyone and how much love and passion they put into this. I am sad about what happened, but I also hope that people listen to all sorts of advice, and start to plan properly for the future.
“We need to ask ourselves if we really care about getting value out of talent. There are many foreign owners in Italian football now, and that is good, but we must ask if they want to make the most of Italian players. It is also only right to go and seek the best from the other nations.
“I think there are still many mothers out there who are churning out talents like those of Baggio, Totti, Del Piero and Cannavaro did in the past, and we must be in a position to use the talent that more mothers bring into the world.”
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What happened
In a press conference before Juventus host Genoa, Luciano Spalletti insisted the club's priority is the final push for Champions League qualification rather than discussion of his contract renewal. He described the Genoa match as difficult and stressed Juventus have little margin for error in the closing stretch. Spalletti said Dusan Vlahovic has trained well and is available after injury, but indicated a start is unlikely, while also praising Jeremie Boga's pace. He also spoke warmly about Genoa coach Daniele De Rossi and reflected on the disappointment still felt by Italy players after the national team's failed World Cup qualification campaign.
Chance analysis
The most relevant football takeaway is the squad update: Vlahovic is back in contention, which can improve Juventus' attacking options even if he is initially used from the bench. Spalletti's comments also reinforce the pressure level around Juventus, with every remaining league game carrying high stakes for Champions League qualification.
Juventus get a modest boost from Vlahovic returning to the matchday picture, but no major tactical shift is confirmed yet.
Treat this mainly as a pre-match lineup and motivation signal: Vlahovic's availability is a mild positive, but the likely non-start limits immediate impact.