Spalletti says ‘nothing major’ sparked double red-card clash with Cagliari coach

Spalletti plays down touchline row after Juventus draw

Luciano Spalletti insisted “nothing major” happened before he and Cagliari coach Fabio Pisacane were sent off at the end of Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Juventus in Serie A.

Spalletti said he told Pisacane that Cagliari “play good football and are good at wasting time”. Pisacane challenged the remark, according to the Juventus coach, and both men were dismissed. “It was nothing major, all pretty normal,” Spalletti told DAZN, as quoted by Football Italia.

Juventus fight back but leave with a point

Cagliari took the lead through Daniel Maldini in the 20th minute, before Randal Kolo Muani equalised for Juventus in the 81st. Juventus had 71.7 per cent possession, recorded 22 shots and created chances worth 1.95 expected goals in the Serie A match, but could not find a winner.

Spalletti said he was encouraged by his side’s display rather than focused on the dropped points. “It was a good performance and the lads need to be told that,” he said. “If they always play like this, I am convinced we will win many more games.”

Spalletti focuses on the bigger picture

Juventus sit sixth in Serie A, five points behind leaders Inter. Spalletti also pointed to his ambition to finish his coaching career strongly, saying: “I am nearly 70 years old and want to end my career on a strong note.”

He added that determination and mental strength mattered more to him than the immediate result, and said he believed the team were moving in the right direction.