Spalletti: ‘Juventus had good attitude with Chelsea, David couldn’t do more’ | OneFootball

Luciano Spalletti explains the positives from Juventus beating Chelsea 1-0, updating Kenan Yildiz fitness, and why Jonathan David was hauled off. ‘He couldn’t do more.’

HONG KONG, CHINA – AUGUST 5: Danny Welbeck of Chelsea FC (L) and Manuel Locatelli of Juventus FC (R) Competes for the ball during the Chelsea v Juventus – Pre-Season Friendly at the Kai Tak Stadium on August 5, 2026 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

The Bianconeri had only one new signing in the starting XI in Hong Kong, defender Zeki Celik, and overall looked a long way off the side that will be picked for competitive games this season.

It was nonetheless a positive to beat Chelsea 1-0 with the Edon Zhegrova curler, and keep another clean sheet in their summer tests.

Spalletti sees Juventus improvement

TURIN, ITALY – MAY 03: Juventus FC head coach Luciano Spalletti looks on during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Hellas Verona FC at Allianz Stadium on May 3, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“We managed to remain a team unit throughout the match, both when suffering under pressure, and on the counter-attack,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.

“The attitude was one of unity. Chelsea know how to do everything, build from the back, finish, set off with pace, so it was important that we didn’t bow down to them.”

HONG KONG, CHINA – AUGUST 5: Edon Zhegrova of Juventus FC (L) celebrates after scoring his goal wth Kenan Yldz of Juventus FC (R) during the Chelsea v Juventus – Pre-Season Friendly at the Kai Tak Stadium on August 5, 2026 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Kenan Yildiz has struggled with a recurring knee issue for months and came off the bench today to provide the assist for Zhegrova.

“He is a very important player for us, we are limiting the minutes he has on the field as part of a planned process. He no longer feels pain and is smiling, so that’s good to know,” added Spalletti.

“Zhegrova scored a great goal, but the most important thing was the performance, his attitude throughout the match. He lost the ball a few times, but also showed what he can do when it is at his feet. A player must never stop working to become stronger.”

There were a few eyebrows raised when David came on at half-time today, only to be substituted off again after 30 minutes.

“It’s August, you have to do a lot of substitutions and strategic ones too,” explained the coach.

“I gave debuts to two youngsters, and had David on the field for 30 minutes, he couldn’t do more at this moment in time. I thought it better to use him at half-time when the game was still more lively.”

Randal Kolo Muani and Kerim Alajbegovic arrived over the weekend, from Paris Saint-Germain and Bayer Leverkusen respectively, but more reinforcements are expected.

“As I’ve already said, I have a very good rapport with the club, we talked and they are working to get the best outcomes,” concluded Spalletti.