Kalulu: ‘Can’t change what’s happened in the past, tomorrow is all that counts’ | OneFootball

Pierre Kalulu says that Juventus should not get too bogged down by events in the past and insists that his ‘only desire’ is to play and win against NEC Nijmegen in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Kalulu previews Juventus vs. NEC and reflects on Sassuolo defeat

The Frenchman joined head coach Luciano Spalletti for the pre-match press conference ahead of Juve’s first Europa League match of the 2026-27 season, which kicks off at the Allianz Stadium at 20.00 on Thursday evening.

Europa League trophy (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP) (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Juventus will be hoping that this is an opportunity to bounce back after a disappointing 3-2 Serie A defeat against Sassuolo over the weekend, which has landed head coach Luciano Spalletti under all kinds of media scrutiny.

“We’re always focused on the next one because that’s the only one that matters. We can’t change what’s happened in the past. Our only desire is to play tomorrow,” said Kalulu.

The versatile defender says that he is not too worried about the apparent burden of having to play on Thursday nights this season.

“As long as you’re a player, you always want to play,” he argued. “In terms of days of the week, very little changes because there’s nothing we can do about it and we will still have two or three days to recover.”

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Pierre Kalulu of Juventus competes for the ball with Nemanja Matic of US Sassuolo during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Juventus at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on September 13, 2026 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

Kalulu is a close friend of Juventus striker Randal Kolo Muani who remains without a goal after returning to the club on a permanent basis from Paris Saint-Germain earlier this summer.

“It’s true that in these moments the goal will give a big hand to the team, and we know that the goal will come.”

Kalulu was asked directly if he thinks winning the Europa League would be an easier way of qualifying for the Champions League than finishing in the Serie A top four.

He replied: “For me, that would be the wrong way to think about it. We can’t think about the ‘easiest’ way to win. We have to go on our own journey and we have to make it our own responsibility.”

Kalulu was asked if his job at right-back changes at all depending on whether it’s Francisco Conceicao or Edon Zhegrova playing on the wing in front of him.

He said: No, they both attack well even if they have different qualities. I want to help them as much as possible to help their attacking actions. I don’t change much between the two of them.”