Spalletti: Juventus’ Europa League win shows strength despite AZ Alkmaar challenge

Luciano Spalletti seized the moment to defend Juventus following their 2-1 Europa League triumph at AZ Alkmaar. ‘When we win, people act like our opponents are weak or ridiculous, but we showed courage.’

The task proved far from straightforward for the Bianconeri, as AZ Alkmaar remained unbeaten at home across 17 European fixtures dating back to October 2023, while the Old Lady suffered significant injury absences.

Juventus established a 2-0 advantage when Randal Kolo Muani assisted Teun Koopmeiners, who faced his former club, before the ex-PSG forward netted the second goal himself in a combination with Nick Woltemade.

The conclusion grew tense as AZ Alkmaar responded through a Mexx Meerdink tap-in after Lloyd Kelly was dispossessed near the touchline, with Juventus surviving a potential equalizer when Meerdink was ruled offside in stoppage time.

Spalletti identified strong qualities in Juventus during the Alkmaar encounter.

VIGO, SPAIN – OCTOBER 15: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, observes prior to the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 fixture between Real Club Celta and Juventus at Estadio Balaidos on October 15, 2026 in Vigo, Spain. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)

“I am very satisfied, because we played well against a very strong team,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.

“I remember when all of you laughed in my face when we beat NEC 5-0, you acted as if they were a ridiculous team, but NEC now have seven points in the Europa League.

“So perhaps people need to re-evaluate how they consider us, humility, and giving credit to a team without just constantly wanting to put pressure on.

“When we win a game, people act as if it was because the opponents were weak, or finding some excuses. We played a strong game against a great team tonight, and as we saw the moment our intensity dropped, they will take advantage.

“We’ve seen in the Champions League, Europa League, these sides might have a predictable way of doing things, but it becomes a strength when they can do it that many times. It is constantly hammering away at those situations, we were pinned back, worried about whether or not to push out from defence, and a through ball caused a goal.

“There were mad scrambles, if the game lasted for another three or four minutes, I don’t think we would’ve taken the result home.”

ALKMAAR, NETHERLANDS – NOVEMBER 05: Ro-Zangelo Daal of AZ Alkmaar is challenged by Pierre Kalulu of Juventus during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD4 match between AZ Alkmaar and Juventus at AZ Stadion on November 05, 2026 in Alkmaar, Netherlands. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Given that Juventus controlled play for 70-odd minutes, Spalletti believes the team requires insurance measures rather than simply improving their ability to protect a lead.

“What we needed to do was score a third goal. The way we played, we had to score a third goal there. When you win away to a team that hasn’t lost at home in 17 European games, winning 14 of them, that is a sign you played with authority and quality. We showed the right courage.”

Koopmeiners and Kolo Muani delivered arguably their finest performances of the season in the Juventus shirt, yet Spalletti desired even more from them.

“Kolo had a few situations when he had the chance to get running and become unstoppable, but we never managed to give him the right pass to get into that space. So we had to suffer on the edge of the area, we did it well too.

“Those who came off the bench could really do damage on the counter with Boga and Ekhator, instead we got pinned back and felt anxious, nobody was sure whether to come or go, and got stuck in the middle.”

ALKMAAR, NETHERLANDS – NOVEMBER 05: Randal Kolo Muani of Juventus celebrates with teammate Nick Woltemade of Juventus after scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD4 match between AZ Alkmaar and Juventus at AZ Stadion on November 05, 2026 in Alkmaar, Netherlands. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

This display builds upon Sunday’s 2-0 Serie A victory against Napoli, suggesting Juventus may be progressing correctly, while they are certainly performing well in the Europa League with three victories and a 2-2 draw against Rennes.

“Some like Lucumi did the unseen dirty work, he often had to deal with the ball on his right foot, it was not his position and he did it well. Kalulu plays almost non-stop, the poor thing was about to ask for a substitution at the end as he was exhausted.

“There were many positive signs today, but the most important was that we went into their half, accepted being man to man for a long time.”

ITALY – OCTOBER 25: Head coach of Juventus FC Luciano Spalletti looks on ahead the Serie A match between US Lecce and Juventus at Stadio Via del Mare on October 25, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

Spalletti expressed admiration for AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Jari De Busser and believes Italian sides can derive lessons from this Dutch tactical approach.

“In Italy so many said a goalkeeper just has to make saves, but when he can play with his feet like this, he annuls all the pressing that the opponents do, he neutralises any situation that you prepare, and he is the extra man. The goalkeeper makes the difference. Did you see the pass he made to spark that move?

“The fact we came here and accepted that duel, pushing into their half and accepting the challenge, was the biggest victory. I also liked the attitude from those on the bench, who shouted and experienced it as if they were on the field.”

ALKMAAR, NETHERLANDS – NOVEMBER 05: Teun Koopmeiners of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD4 match between AZ Alkmaar and Juventus at AZ Stadion on November 05, 2026 in Alkmaar, Netherlands. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Juventus now must prepare for their final match before the international break, a challenging Serie A away fixture against historic rivals Fiorentina on Sunday evening.

“My concern is the way we conceded the goal, with everyone waiting to see who would take it, allowing the others to move around. I continue to say a decision that is not made is the worst possible kind, even more so than a bad decision.

“Being hesitant, waiting for the situation to develop, that is what I do not want to see.”