Quick-learning Juve faces tricky trip to Cagliari
Luciano Spalletti believes his Juventus players have already shown they are quick learners this season, as they prepare to resume their Serie A campaign away to Cagliari.
The Bianconeri emerge from the international break seventh in the Italian top flight, with 10 points on the board after five matches.
Spalletti was impressed with the response the Bianconeri showed after their unbeaten start was halted by Sassuolo, who inflicted a 3-2 defeat on his team on 14 September (AEDT).
In the week after that loss, which was the result of a 94th-minute strike by Vasilije Adzic, Juventus thumped NEC 5-0 in the UEFA Europa League, and then beat Atalanta 2-0 in Serie A.
"We always want to improve and keep growing," Spalletti said ahead of the Cagliari fixture.
"We always want to learn, because whoever stops learning often ends up repeating themselves, and those who go out and learn new things usually grow.
"I don't see anything negative stopping us from reaching the level you mentioned. What did you call it, hunger? That's always important in football.
"Your love for the game has to show on the pitch, by passing on to those around you a serious approach and a constant drive for high standards. That's something we're doing.
"There's always time and room to grow a bit more. You think you've reached a certain level, and then the following year you say: 'How much more is there?'
"But our attitude is right. After the defeat at Sassuolo, we won two games that were far from straightforward. We're on the path we need to be on."
On Monday (AEDT) at Unipol Domus, Juve will be facing a team above it in the table, as Cagliari has made a wonderful start to the campaign under Fabio Pisacane.
It has won four of its opening five matches to occupy a place in the top four throughout the international break, with its only defeat coming by a 1-0 scoreline at home to league leader and defending champion Inter Milan.
