Juve sets sights high as top-four battle continues
Luciano Spalletti has acknowledged Juventus has failed to match the standards set by Serie A champion Inter Milan for several years, but if it can clinch a UEFA Champions League qualification in the coming weeks, he is hopeful of a brighter future.
Juve is fourth in Serie A with three games remaining, one point clear of fifth-placed Roma and three ahead of Como, who round out the top six.
The Bianconeri are, however, 17 points adrift of their Derby d'Italia rival Inter, which wrapped up the Scudetto with time to spare after beating Parma 2-0 last week.
Spalletti hopes to build a team capable of rivalling the Nerazzurri in 2026-2027, but admitted their dominance this season has been the culmination of a long-term process.
"I can't make any comparison with Inter, they have been built correctly in recent years and we, less so," Spalletti said ahead of this weekend's trip to Lecce.
"It is not about the details of a match, but the analysis of a whole period. Experience is also needed. We can grow as a team; there is potential and we have taken important steps, I think a lot of this team will stay the same.
"We'll talk more about it at the end of the year, but we all have to put in more. You need a single mindset to go in the direction that you want to go.
"What interests me is that they [the players] understand we are at a good level, but there is room for improvement and that many will stay as part of this group."
Before plotting a possible title push, Juve must make certain of a top-four finish. After visiting Lecce, iy rounds out its campaign at home to Fiorentina and away at Torino.
Spalletti revealed that striker Dusan Vlahovic could make his first start in five months, having scored a late equaliser in last week's 1-1 draw with Verona, in just his second game after a lengthy injury lay-off.
That result came off the back of a goalless stalemate with AC Milan, allowing Roma to cut Juve's lead in the top-four race, but Spalletti does not sense any nerves in his squad.
He added: "Pressure is a natural environment for us. Playing a game like this is normal, we have already played games like this."
After a crucial 2-1 triumph at Pisa last time out, Lecce is four points clear of the relegation zone in 17th, and could clinch safety with a win against Juve.
