Carnevali defends Spalletti, points fingers at former leadership and Bremer after Juventus’ recent stumble

In a candid press briefing on Thursday, Juventus sporting director Giovanni Carnevali made it crystal clear that he stands firmly behind manager Luciano Spalletti. After a bruising 3‑0 defeat to Lazio in Serie A and a tepid 1‑1 draw with Cagliari, the club’s hierarchy felt the need to address the growing unease.

Carnevali didn’t just pat Spalletti on the back; he went further, laying the blame for the current mess on the shoulders of the club’s own predecessors. According to the director, “strategic errors made by the previous board have left us with a fragmented squad and an unclear identity.” He suggested that the lack of a consistent playing philosophy stems from decisions taken long before Spalletti arrived.

But the critique didn’t stop there. The Brazilian centre‑back Gleison Bremer, who found himself under the spotlight after publicly questioning teammates following the Lazio loss, was also reprimanded. Carnevali revealed that the dressing‑room was “reproached” for Bremer’s remarks, emphasizing that such comments only add fuel to an already volatile atmosphere.

Spalletti, for his part, has been vocal about the psychological toll the recent setbacks have taken on his players. He admitted that after the Lazio humiliation, many in the squad were forced to “ask themselves hard questions” and that the conscience of the club seemed to be echoing back at them.

The Bianconeri’s next test arrives in the Europa League, where they host Stade Rennais. The 2‑2 draw against Rennes last week, capped by a controversial disallowed late winner, left fans wondering if the team can still find the spark needed to compete on two fronts. While Spalletti praised the resilience shown, he also warned that Juventus must increase the tempo of their play to be competitive week in, week out.

In short, Juventus’ leadership is attempting to draw a line under recent disappointments by rallying behind Spalletti, castigating past missteps, and urging the squad to move past internal criticism. Whether this unified front will translate into better results on the pitch remains to be seen.