Kolo Muani seals Juventus comeback in Vigo

Juventus overturned a first-half deficit to defeat Celta Vigo 2-1 in the Europa League, with substitute Randal Kolo Muani heading home the winner in added time.

Celta had taken the lead after 18 minutes through Hugo Alvarez, finishing a flowing team move. Juventus improved after the break and levelled when Nick Woltemade capitalised on an error by Marcos Alonso. Kolo Muani then met Andrea Cambiaso’s cross at the back post to complete the turnaround.

Spalletti: ‘You need to take risks’

Luciano Spalletti said he was pleased Juventus were prepared to gamble in pursuit of the win, even while acknowledging the spaces they left behind. “I like that these lads are willing to take risks in order to go for the win,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “You need to take risks in modern football. It can end up like Sassuolo where we lost, but you have to take the risk.”

The coach said his side had been too slow in the first half, allowing Celta to regain their shape and making Juventus vulnerable when possession changed hands. “When we got it back, we were too slow to counter, then when we lost the ball, we were too slow in pressing to get it back,” he said, adding that Juventus had been “too slow today in every phase.”

Spalletti explained that he moved Kolo Muani centrally late in the game, with Woltemade tiring and the substitute better placed to threaten one-on-one. The winning goal followed around 20 seconds after the coach’s instruction, according to the touchline report cited by the outlet.

Conceicao told to look at his own display

Francisco Conceicao went straight to the dressing room after being substituted in the 70th minute, prompting questions about his reaction. Spalletti said the winger should be “angry with himself for that performance,” rather than with the decision to take him off. He added that if Conceicao had concerns, the player could explain them to the coaching staff.

Spalletti also said Teun Koopmeiners and other Juventus players needed to be more decisive with forward passes after winning the ball. He suggested Koopmeiners’ lack of confidence could be linked to not playing regularly, while making clear that the midfielder “needs to improve.”

The result gave Juventus a second win from their opening two Europa League matches, following a 5-0 victory over NEC in their first game.