Spalletti Slams Juventus’ Performance After Galatasaray Thrashing

Key Takeaways:

• Juventus suffered a 5-2 defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League play-off first leg in Istanbul
• Luciano Spalletti criticised Lloyd Kelly’s defensive error leading to Galatasaray’s third goal
• Manager substituted Andrea Cambiaso at half-time due to disciplinary concerns

Managerial Critique Following Istanbul Setback

Luciano Spalletti delivered a forthright assessment of his Juventus squad after they fell to a 5-2 defeat against Galatasaray in the opening leg of the Champions League play-off. The encounter in Istanbul exposed notable weaknesses within the Italian side, prompting a visibly discontented Spalletti to speak candidly about the team’s lack of resilience and composure.

Spalletti post #GalatasarayJuve: "Fatti passi indietro. Troppi errori anche in impostazione, nelle situazioni estreme dobbiamo buttare via la palla. Bremer? Pare abbia problemi" 🎙 https://t.co/skvjRcodko pic.twitter.com/ieDoRsaKdG

— VecchiaSignora.com (@forumJuventus) February 17, 2026

Defensive Lapses and Tactical Decisions Under Scrutiny

The Juventus manager placed particular emphasis on the defensive mistake made by Lloyd Kelly, whose error in the build-up allowed Galatasaray to extend their advantage in the second half. Addressing the incident, Spalletti stated – via TMW:

“I always want to play in normal situations, then when there is extreme danger you throw it away. I can’t understand, this fact of always playing the ball means inside the field. It’s clear that there he had to throw it away, it’s not true that you always have to play it because sometimes it must be relieved.”

Substitution Choices Influenced by Discipline Concerns

Spalletti offered insight into his decision to substitute Andrea Cambiaso, referencing the player’s disciplinary position as a contributing factor. He explained: “Clear, he had already risked in the first half. In these matches it is good to manage those situations, but we paid the price after twenty minutes in the second half. The double yellow card [for Cabal] created difficulties for us, then we contributed to it by not realizing the danger of what we were doing.”

First Leg Result Summary

Looking Ahead

With this heavy defeat, Juventus face a significant challenge heading into the second leg, needing a dramatic turnaround to progress. Pressure is on Spalletti and his squad to address the tactical and mental deficiencies highlighted in Istanbul.