Following Juventus’ 2-1 victory over Cremonese in his debut match on the Bianconeri bench, manager Luciano Spalletti singled out Teun Koopmeiners for praise regarding his unfamiliar deployment in the defensive line.
Spalletti opted for a tactical “Spallettata”—a surprise positional shift—by utilizing the Dutch midfielder as a central defender against Cremonese. Koopmeiners previously excelled in a midfield role, but according to the coach, the decision was strategic.
Spalletti explained his thinking, via Gazzetta: “By putting him in that position, I thought our ball circulation would cause more difficulty for Cremonese.”
The move paid dividends, and the coach commended Koopmeiners’ performance in the new role, noting his vital contribution to the team’s structure: “Koop, however, had a good game from the point of view of communication with his teammates and tactical order against the opponents’ counter-attacks,” Spalletti remarked, highlighting the player’s effectiveness in maintaining discipline in the backline.
Spalletti, while pleased with the debut win, emphasized that the team must rapidly adapt to the high standards of the club, adding, “We have potential that is visible in this squad, so we must grow quickly. I trust this group and the players I have, but it is clear that we are Juventus, and the pressure is felt.”
