Spalletti Evaluates New Signings After Friendly Loss to Inter
Luciano Spalletti affirmed that he “evaluated carefully” the performances of new signings Kerim Alajbegovic and Randal Kolo Muani before their transfer to Juventus, but acknowledged that Inter was “more of a team than us” in today’s friendly match.
The Bianconeri are undergoing significant changes following a sixth-place finish in Serie A last season, which resulted in missing out on Champions League football.
In the match held in Perth, Australia, Kolo Muani and Alajbegovic made their debuts as substitutes during a 2-1 friendly loss to Inter. It took longer than anticipated for these reinforcements to arrive, as both players had only joined Juventus three days prior.
Spalletti commented on their integration, stating, “I evaluated carefully before they were signed, as I wanted to get a good look at them first.” He noted that Alajbegovic had previously been monitored by director Ricky Massara, which offered some reassurance. However, he admitted that he may have rushed their debut by having them play an entire half.
The two new strikers displayed glimpses of their potential, having been recruited from Bayer Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain.
Goals from Federico Dimarco and Andy Diouf highlighted the usual goalkeeping issues Juventus faced, while Francisco Conceicao managed to score a consolation goal.
Spalletti emphasized the need for his team to develop cohesion, stating, “These are strong players at a high level, so we must try to figure out how to find the right balance and become a team.” He also acknowledged that Inter outperformed Juventus in the first half, indicating that this is a developmental process the team must navigate.
Luciano Spalletti assures he ‘evaluated carefully’ Kerim Alajbegovic and Randal Kolo Muani before Juventus signed them, but Inter were ‘more of a team than us’ in today’s friendly.
The Bianconeri are making many changes after a campaign that saw them finish sixth in the Serie A table, missing out on Champions League football.
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 08: Randal Kolo Muani of Juventus and Carlos Augusto of FC Internazionale contest a header during the match between Juventus and FC Internazionale at Optus Stadium on August 08, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
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It has taken far longer than expected to get many of the reinforcements required, as today Kolo Muani and Alajbegovic made their debuts in the second half of a 2-1 friendly defeat to Inter in Perth.
Spalletti early days for Juventus
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 26: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“I evaluated carefully before they were signed, as I wanted to get a good look at them first,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.
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“Alajbegovic had already been tracked by (director Ricky) Massara beforehand, so that’s reassuring. They both need to get into match shape, as they’ve only been with us for three days, so perhaps I rushed it by asking them to play an entire half today.”
There were flashes of quality from the two strikers, who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain.
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 08: Kerim Alajbegovic of Juventus makes a run makes a during the match between Juventus and FC Internazionale at Optus Stadium on August 08, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)
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Federico Dimarco and Andy Diouf scored for Inter, showcasing the usual problems in goal with a Michele Di Gregorio howler, while Francisco Conceicao got one back late on.
“These are strong players at a high level, so we must try to figure out how to find the right balance and become a team,” added Spalletti.
“Inter showed in the first half they were more of a team than us. It is a process that we simply need to go through, we have to take steps forward.”
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