Gatti to Spalletti: I need to play

Juventus won 2-1 away at AZ Alkmaar. No European team had taken three points at the AZ Stadion since October 2023 until this game. Kolo Muani set up Teun Koopmeiners for a goal, then scored the second himself. Late in the match Mexx Meerdink reduced the deficit, and the final minutes were tense.

Gatti spoke to Sky Sport Italia after the match. The defender said playing a European match away from home is difficult and stressed that the team must quickly return to its league form. Explaining that he needs to play to be in full form, Gatti said that when a player is out of form, the margin for error increases.

Gatti often pushed forward in this match and played almost like a striker, while also making important interventions in defense. Saying he needs time to recover after his forward runs, Gatti laughed and noted that it would be better to leave that job to the forwards.

Gatti also talked about Kolo Muani's athleticism and qualities. Describing how difficult it is to face him as a defender, Gatti believes these qualities are not being used enough. Kolo Muani looked more comfortable on the right wing this evening, although he is known to have often drifted to the left side in the past. This performance has reignited the debate over whether the ex-Paris Saint-Germain striker should play as a centre-forward or as a player who can drop deeper.