Luciano Spalletti admits error over Loïs Openda’s limited minutes at Juventus | OneFootball

Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti has admitted he erred by restricting Loïs Openda’s game time ahead of Saturday’s Serie A trip to Lecce.

According to L'Équipe, he spoke at Friday’s press conference on the eve of the match, scheduled for 20:45 on Saturday, matchday 36.

Since early March, Openda has featured only twice for Juventus, totalling five minutes. The Belgian forward has struggled to make an impact in his first season in Turin.

Spalletti said it was one of his mistakes, explaining that he must make choices and, despite weighing everything up, something is always lost. He praised Openda’s availability, professionalism and readiness to help, even for two minutes, and added he felt others could bring more in those specific games.

Openda, 26, arrived last summer from RB Leipzig on loan with a €46 million obligation to buy. He has scored once in 24 Serie A appearances for Juventus.

Juventus sit fourth on 65 points, the final Champions League qualifying place. Two straight draws leave them under pressure from AS Rome on 64 and Como on 62.

Source: L'Équipe