Ex-Juventus star examines penalty issue and Spalletti future: ‘Can’t expect miracles’
· Yahoo Sports
Former Juventus star Alessio Tacchinardi says that the current Bianconeri side need a clearer process and hierarchy when it comes to penalty kicks, and believes that Luciano Spalletti is the right man to take Juventus forwards along as he gets the signings he requires: ‘He can’t be expected to perform miracles without them’.
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Tacchinardi on Juventus’s season, Locatelli’s captaincy and Spalletti’s future
Tacchinardi discussed all things Juventus in a recent interview with Sport Mediaset.
It has been a season of ups and downs for the Old Lady, who currently find themselves in fifth place with eight games to go, locked into a battle with Como and Roma for a spot in Serie A’s Champions League positions.
Tacchinardi feels that there are still a few clear issues for Juventus to resolve, though: “We lack ambition, positivity. The team never manages to play with its chest out, with charisma or personality, that’s what’s lacking today.”
Tacchinardi was asked what he makes of Manuel Locatelli as a Juventus captain.
He said: “I was excited against Galatasaray. I liked what I saw from him and I thought Juve had found a real captain. However, he lacks that bit of malice to drag the team over the line. It’s wrong to criticise his penalty kick (against Sassuolo), though. He scored the decisive one to get them to the Champions League last season. It’s all the others that don’t go down well.
“In my time, Del Piero took them, period. Trezeguet, Nedved, Ibrahimovic and all these other star players arrived, but when there was a penalty, nobody disturbed Del Piero.
“A penalty taker needs that calmness. Today at Juve, one takes the ball, another speaks to him, one asks the other what they think and Locatelli is left watching on. It’s got to be destabilising, it’s a big mistake from the Bianconeri.”
Tacchinardi was asked if head coach Spalletti is the one responsible for the messy pre-penalty routine.
“Yes, but I’m not inside the dressing room,” he replied. “If Spalletti says that Locatelli takes the penalty, the others have to be stopped.”
Tacchinardi was also asked if he feels that Spalletti is the right man to bring Juventus forwards.
UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 14: Luciano Spalletti, Juventus manager, reacts during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Juventus FC at Stadio Friuli on March 14, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Spalletti is currently on a short-term contract until the end of the 2025-26 season and an extension beyond the summer has not yet been officially announced. Recent reports indicate that the parties are closing in on an agreement, but only until the end of the 2026-27 season with a potential option to extend.
“I had dinner with him. There was me, him, Ferrara and Del Piero. When I left, I hoped he would go on to become the head coach of Juventus,” said Tacchinardi.
“He has everything to get them back to a high level, but he needs players with personality, depth and charisma. He can’t be expected to perform miracles without them.”
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Luciano Spalletti Head Coach of Juventus FC reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Juventus and Galatasaray A.S. at Juventus Stadium on February 25, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
Tacchinardi was also asked if he thinks Juventus will qualify for next season’s Champions League. The Bianconeri are fifth with eight games of the season left to go, three points behind Como in fourth.
“I have a lot of doubts, they can’t afford any missteps, they’ve already had too many,” Tacchinardi says. “They need the Champions League, especially if they want to have a big window.”