Juve treating Genoa clash as one of eight finals
Luciano Spalletti described the end of Juventus' Serie A season as eight finals, as his side attempts to displace Como and secure a place in next year's UEFA Champions League.
Juventus welcomes Genoa to Allianz Stadium in what could prove to be a huge clash on Tuesday (AEST), with Cesc Fabregas' side also in action earlier in the day, away to Udinese.
The Bianconeri have stumbled of late, winning just two of their last seven Serie A matches, collecting nine points in the process to sit fifth on the table.
Juventus has also lost six of its 30 league games so far in 2025-2026. Across the past 15 seasons, it has only suffered more defeats in 2022-2023, when it was beaten eight times.
After facing Genoa, Juventus has standout matches against Atalanta, Bologna and AC Milan to come, and Spalletti acknowledged the importance of starting that run with a win.
"It is an important final sprint, but that's a normal standard for us, so when you say there are eight finals, that's what it should always be for Juventus," he said.
"We must be ready to give our best, and there is no margin for error, as we'll need to win practically every game to get there, starting with a very difficult Genoa."
Spalletti has endured an indifferent tenure at Juventus since being appointed back in October, winning 16 of his 30 matches in charge across all competitions.
When he replaced Igor Tudor, there was an option for Spalletti to extend his stay, having only signed a contract that runs until the end of the 2025-2026 season.
Many predicted that clause to be triggered during the recent international break, but no announcement of an agreement was made.
"I don't understand why you care so much about this," Spalletti said when asked about his future.
"We've got a perfectly fine rapport and there will be the opportunity to discuss it, we don't need to do it all now. It has to come naturally."
Spalletti was also on hand to provide an update on striker Dusan Vlahovic, who recently returned from a serious adductor injury that saw him miss 23 matches in all competitions.
"He trained well and is available, but I doubt he'll be able to start. He could give us a hand," Spalletti said.
"Jeremie Boga showed what he is capable of. He is a very quick player with these bursts of pace, but he doesn't love physical contact. We are happy to have him here."
Genoa is now coached by Daniele De Rossi, who worked with Spalletti as a player at Roma, and he has overseen an impressive turnaround since joining last November.
The Grifone are 13th and six points above the bottom three after signing off for the international break with a defeat at home to Udinese on 21 March (AEDT).
