Spalletti: "We're in the Italian Cup to win it"

The Juventus Men's First Team face Udinese at the Allianz Stadium on Tuesday, December 2, with a place in the quarter-finals of the Italian Cup up for grabs.

Coach Luciano Spalletti previewed the 21:00 CET kick-off in his press conference.

REMEMBERING PIETRANGELI

"Before we begin, I wanted to remember Nicola Pietrangeli because he taught us what it means to win with elegance and sacrifice, a unique way of being a champion. It is thanks to that example that the level of tennis today has reached such heights. I played for many years and I am happy to remember him."

THE DEBUT IN THE ITALIAN CUP

"As for tomorrow's match against Udinese, there will definitely be a few changes. We've struggled physically and mentally in recent matches, but the group is working well and consistently. Many players are looking for opportunities, and they will get them. When the Italian Cup begins, all teams think about participating in this competition to try to win it, just like us. Then it's a matter of coming out on top in important matches, managing the load and more. We will also try to play well and not just win. We will try to take this step too, but first of all, it is important to win, to string together a run of victories. Tomorrow evening against Udinese, we will field our best team, first and foremost to win, knowing that it will not be an easy game. A few weeks ago, we saw our opponents tomorrow here at the Allianz Stadium, and they proved to be a team that never gives up, right until the end. It will be an important test for us, to continue to grow and to try to reach that level of play that can also entertain our fans."

THE INDIVIDUALS

"Vlahovic? The doctors will determine how long Dusan needs to recover before he can return to action. My feeling is that it will take two to three months to see him back on the pitch. I would have preferred to have him available because he was very focused and very much part of the team. Miretti? Fabio is a footballer who can do many things. First and foremost, he is a serious person and a great professional. He has good timing in his play, which is not a given. You have to know when to hold onto the ball or let it go a moment earlier. He also has the personality to create the unexpected.

"Joao Mario and Zhegrova? Joao is a technical player who knows how to make decisions and build confidence with the team. He's a guy I want to get to know thoroughly to learn all his characteristics. Edon is coming back from an injury that kept him off the pitch for a long time. He's always ready to go and can explode at any moment when he has the ball at his feet, because you never know what move to expect. He's still not in peak physical condition, so I'd see how he does during the match. [Jonathan] David and [Lois] Openda together? I hope they can make the most of this opportunity, given Vlahovic's absence. They are two different players, so they can play together. They played together in the league match against Udinese, not from the start, but they have been on the pitch at the same time in the recent past.

"As for which goalkeeper to play, for me [Michele] Di Gregorio is currently the first-choice keeper, but that doesn't mean he always has to be the one playing. [Mattia] Perin is an important figure for me because he's one of the ones who speaks up in the dressing room; he has personality. I like having Mattia here, even in this role. He won't be there tomorrow as he's slightly fatigued.

"Koopmeiners? I know Teun very well because I followed him several years ago, but I've never had the pleasure of coaching him. He knows football, he knows how to play in all positions. My job is to try to see things or listen to them by putting myself in the shoes of those I'm talking to. It's a good starting point. Speaking with him, despite having scored a lot with Atalanta, he prefers to start the action from the back, face his opponents and not receive the ball with his back to goal. What's more, he allows us to start the moves with quality, so we're all satisfied. Yildiz as a striker? Kenan can also play as an attacking forward because he has quality, and by bringing him closer to the goal, he can shoot with more consistency."