Spalletti calls Rennes clash a maturity test for Juventus

Spalletti demands a response against Rennes

Luciano Spalletti has framed Juventus’ Europa League meeting with Rennes as a test of his side’s maturity, urging his players to make better decisions against a physically strong and dangerous opponent.

Juventus enter the match with two wins from two in the Europa League league phase, having beaten NEC 5-0 and Celta Vigo 2-1. Their domestic results have been less convincing: after seven Serie A matches, they sit eighth, coming off a 3-0 home defeat to Lazio.

Asked about the contrast between Juventus’ European and domestic form, Spalletti said there was “no specific reason,” adding that each match requires the team to respond to the opponent’s approach. He said Juventus must recognise when to press and when to hold their position, and be “more decisive” when choosing what to do.

Rennes bring pace and physicality

Spalletti warned that Rennes are particularly dangerous in open play, with fast attackers and the league’s leading scorer, Lepaul, according to the report. He noted that the French side are sixth in Ligue 1 but only one point off the top, and said their confidence would make the fixture a demanding examination.

“They are having a good season; they are sixth, but one point below the top spot, so they have enthusiasm, and for us it is a maturity test,” Spalletti said. “We must be good at determining things with our attitude.”

Juventus have won their last four home matches in major European competition, scoring 12 goals and conceding two. However, the report also notes their recent home struggles in Serie A: they have lost two of their last five league games at the Allianz Stadium.

The clubs previously met in the 1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup final, when Juventus won 4-2 on aggregate. Rennes have lost all four of their previous away matches in Italy in European competition, against Juventus, Udinese, Lazio and AC Milan.