Cristian Chivu, former Roma captain and current Juventus coach, illustrated Hakan Calhanoglu's condition and possible lineup changes before the Champions League match against ClubBrugge. In his speech he reiterated that the Turkish midfielder, who returned to Italy after a brief spell in Parma, is in excellent shape and ready to contribute to the group. Chivu explained that the recent post-match question about his condition arose from a misinterpretation: "Calhanoglu is fine, I was surprised by the post-match question because I had seen him fit and I hadn't noticed any problems. It was just a precaution, he's fine and available for the team", declared the coach.
Furthermore, Chivu delved into Spence's situation, highlighting that the young man had a week of training plus twenty minutes and a couple of days of finishing, which the coach does not consider sufficient to reach full physical condition. However, he expressed satisfaction with the progressive reduction of the pressure and negative energy that the player felt at the beginning of his arrival, underlining the importance of his moral contribution and self-esteem during the short match on Saturday. “The 25 minutes on Saturday were fundamental for adrenaline and self-esteem,” he added.
As for AlessandroBastoni, Chivu stated that he does not want to go back to talking about the injustices that the defender had to face, both at club and national level. The coach recognized Bastoni's value as a prominent player, underlining that his personality and performances, including two important goals, make him an asset for the team and for Italy. “It's not about pampering our important players, but about taking care of them properly,” Chivu specified, highlighting the importance of constant support for those who represent the national team.
Finally, Chivu mentioned that Juventus is evaluating some changes in the lineup to optimize the team before the match against ClubBrugge. Although he did not provide concrete details, he hinted that the coach is ready to make "some changes" to ensure maximum performance. With the Champions League in sight, Juventus is preparing to challenge a high-level opponent, focusing on the solidity of the midfield and defense, with Calhanoglu and Bastoni among the key protagonists of the project.