Juventus delivered a crucial 2-0 Champions League win over Benfica on Wednesday night in the Champions League clash.
Speaking after the victory at the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday, Spalletti focused on mentality as much as the result. “Our radar must always be online,” he said. “We have played well recently, but we still need to understand things more quickly. Sometimes our attitude is not at the level this competition demands.”
Juventus started brightly and almost took an early lead when Kenan Yıldız forced Anatoliy Trubin into a full-stretch save from the edge of the box. The young forward went close again moments later, flashing another effort just wide. Benfica responded with spells of possession, and Michele Di Gregorio was forced into action to deny Georgiy Sudakov, with Lloyd Kelly clearing the danger from the rebound.
Despite chances at both ends, the breakthrough did not arrive until after the break. Spalletti’s message at half-time had an immediate impact, with Juventus raising the tempo and pressing higher. Weston McKennie tested Trubin early in the second half, and the pressure soon told. Khephren Thuram drove a low shot into the corner to give Juventus the lead.
The second goal followed soon after. McKennie combined neatly with Jonathan David, and the American midfielder finished calmly to score his third Champions League goal of the season.
Spalletti later reflected on David’s display, offering both praise and challenge. “He has quality, everyone can see that,” Spalletti said. “But he needs more determination, more ferocity. He has a nice boy aura. Experience will help him become more decisive.”
Benfica were handed a chance to get back into the game when VAR awarded a late penalty, but Vangelis Pavlidis slipped and sent his effort wide, drawing huge cheers from the home crowd.
Juventus have now won three Champions League matches in a row after a difficult start to the campaign. Spalletti warned that progress depends on more than goals alone. “A match is not just about scoring,” he said. “You need control, awareness and balance, otherwise opponents force you into trouble.”
A final group game away to AS Monaco could still secure a top-eight finish, while Benfica must beat Real Madrid and rely on other results to extend their European run.
