Spalletti sees Rennes clash as a 'test of maturity' for Juventus
Juventus top their Europa League group after 2 wins, but Spalletti warns the meeting with Rennes will be a test of maturity amid a patchy Serie A run.
Luciano Spalletti has described Juventus's UEFA Europa League meeting with Rennes as a "test of maturity" for his side.
The Italian club finished the first 2 matchdays of the league phase at the top of the table after a 5-0 win over NEC and a 2-1 victory against Celta Vigo. In Serie A, however, the Bianconeri's form has fallen short of expectations.
Beaten 3-0 at home by Lazio, Juventus sit 8th after 7 matchweeks. Second-placed Lazio, level on points with leaders Inter, are 8 points clear of Juve.
Juventus have lost 2 of their last 5 Serie A matches at the Allianz Stadium (W2, D1), meaning they have suffered as many defeats in just those 5 games as they did in total across the previous 44 home league fixtures (W24, D18).
In Europe, by contrast, Juventus have won their last 4 home matches, scoring 12 goals and conceding only 2 in that run, and head coach Spalletti wants a professional display against Rennes.
Asked why results in Serie A and the Europa League have differed, the experienced coach said:
"There's no one obvious reason. Every match has its own story, and each time you have to react in the right way to what the opponent puts out there. You have to read the consequences of how your opponent approaches the game properly, and know when to press high and when to drop off. We need to be more decisive and clearer in the key moments. Rennes are very dangerous in open spaces and in the physical battles. They have quick attackers and Lepaul, who is top of the scoring charts in Ligue 1. They're having a good season; they're 6th, but only 1 point off the top. They're playing with a lot of enthusiasm and confidence. That's why this game will be a test of maturity for us. With the right attitude out there, we have to take control of the match."
The two sides have met before, in the 1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup final, when the Italian club lifted the trophy 4-2 on aggregate (2-0 at home, 2-2 away).
Rennes, meanwhile, have lost all 4 of their European away matches in Italy, each of them against a different Italian side (Juventus, Udinese, Lazio and Milan).