Juventus sporting director Marco Ottolini faced his old club Genoa to provide an update on contract negotiations with Dusan Vlahovic and Luciano Spalletti. “Italian football requires vision and patience.”
The match will kick off at 17:00 UK time (18:00 CEST) at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin.
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You can follow all the preparations and action from today’s four Serie A matches on the live blog.
The Bianconeri are under pressure to secure Champions League qualification, which became even more difficult going into the break after a 1-1 draw with Sassuolo.
However, a win here would move them within a point of fourth place, as Como were held to a 0-0 draw by Udinese earlier today, while Roma lost 5-2 to Inter Milan.
Ottolini outlines Juventus vision
GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 21: Genoa sporting manager Marco Ottolini watches before kick-off of the Serie A match between Genoa and Napoli at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on December 21, 2024 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simon Avida/Getty Images)
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“This is a special game for me and I want to pay tribute to the whole of Genoa because I spent unforgettable years there,” Ottolini told Sky Sport Italia.
“The team performed well, including those players who have returned from the national team, and we are ready to concentrate on the final push.”
Vlahovic and Alek Milik returned two weeks ago but are still on the bench after months on the treatment table.
The Serbian is only under contract until June 30, but while his exit as a free agent seems inevitable, a new deal is looking increasingly likely.
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Juventus’s Dusan Vlahovic and Pierre Kalulu interact after the Serie A match between Juventus FC and American FC Sassuolo at the Allianz Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Penicino/Getty Images)
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“After Toussaint returned from Belgrade, we started talking to him again, indicating that both sides wanted to sit down and assess the situation. These talks will continue over the next few weeks. Beyond that, there is nothing more to say,” Ottolini explained.
Coach Spalletti is also discussing a contract extension, taking over from Igor Tudor and signing a short-term contract with no guarantees, even if he is eligible for the Champions League.
“As the coach himself said, we are in no rush. We are focused on the final games, but negotiations are at an advanced stage.”
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Juventus FC head coach Luciano Spalletti watches the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Como 1907 on February 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Penicino/Getty Images)
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While Jeremy Boga is expected to start, it’s Jonathan David who gets the starting job in attack, with Francisco Conceicao, Weston McKennie and Kenan Yildiz also providing support.
It remains to be seen how Italy’s internationals will react after their World Cup play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The debate over how to allow more young players to develop in Italy also involves greater use of the second team.
“We are the first club in Italy to form a next-generation team and we are very happy with the progress, but naturally this also requires investment and infrastructure,” Ottolini explained.
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“It also requires patience, but if you have a medium to long-term vision it does deliver results and we continue to have confidence in this project.
“A lot of people have expressed their opinions when it comes to Italian football as a whole, but I feel we need to sit down, put personal interests aside and focus on the system as a whole.”