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Juve owner Elkann believes Spalletti's squad can end Scudetto wait

  /  autty

Juventus owner John Elkann believes that Luciano Spalletti's current crop of players have what it takes to end their wait for the Serie A title. 

Elkann gave a speech during the team's Christmas meal ahead of this weekend's trip to Pisa, with Juventus knowing a win could push them into the top four. 

The Bianconeri put together three consecutive wins in all competitions before Christmas Day, with their latest triumph coming in a hard-fought 2-1 away win against Roma. 

It was a result that kept Juventus in fifth in the table, just four points adrift of leaders Inter, as they aim to lift a first Serie A crown since their 2019-20 success. 

The Opta supercomputer has handed Spalletti's team just a 5.2% chance of sitting top of the pile, with AC Milan (17.2%), Napoli (18.3%) and Inter (54.1%) better fancied. 

"It's nice to be here together, all part of a big family," Elkann said, according to Italian media, including Sky Sports.

"We are here in our museum that celebrates Juventus' history. It's important for you to know it, because you are now part of it.

"You are becoming an increasingly strong group and team, and you are all crucial in helping Juventus win again. 

"Victory is the expression of what you do every day, and for this I want to thank the staff, the team, the captain, the coach, all the directors and your families who are here."

Since Spalletti replaced Igor Tudor at the end of October, Juventus have averaged two points per game in Serie A, compared to 1.5 under their former boss. 

And their performance against Roma was one of the best of Spalletti's tenure, having registered an expected goals (xG) total of 2.6 from their 13 shots to Roma's 1.4 from their 15 attempts, though only five of those were on target. 

"Enjoyment? I'm afraid I've never really felt it. I think I might have some kind of problem," Spalletti said when asked if he was pleased to see Juventus going down the right path. 

"For me, enjoyment is seeing the players like they were in the dressing room, hugging each other, happy and smiling.

"My happiness always comes as a reflection of the people around me. That's what makes me feel good.

"There are things we absolutely need to improve because they are within reach, and yet we can't find continuity.

"We have to get used to this constant change in the flow of the game. Roma always bring someone within a two-meter radius of you. We have to get used to this local battle."

Juventus will be confident of maintaining their good league form against a Pisa side who sit 19th in the Serie A table and without a win in their last five matches. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Pisa – Stefano Moreo

Stefano Moreo has been directly involved in four goals (three goals, one assist) in Serie A this season, more than any other player for the club.

However, he has not been involved in a home league goal since his last Serie B appearance at Arena Garibaldi, against Cremonese on May 13th 2025.

Juventus – Lois Openda

Lois Openda netted his first Serie A goal in the last match against Roma, and he will be looking to score in consecutive top-flight appearances for the first time in over a year.

The last time he managed to do so came in the Bundesliga for RB Leipzig, netting against Augsburg and Heidenheim between September and October in 2024. 

MATCH PREDICTION: JUVENTUS WIN

Juventus have played more top-flight matches against Cremonese (17) and Piacenza (16) without suffering a single defeat than they have against Pisa (14 – W10 D4). 

Spalletti's team are also in form. They have won six of their last seven games in all competitions, one more than they managed in their previous 16 matches (W5 D8 L3).

And you can expect goalmouth action here; the last nine Serie A meetings between the two sides have seen both teams score, with 37 goals netted (over four per match).

Pisa, meanwhile, are winless in their last 12 final Serie A matches in a calendar year (D7 L5), with five of these draws coming at home. Furthermore, they have failed to score in their last two such games, in 1990 against Lazio and in 1991 against Roma.

They have also scored just one home goal in the 2025-26 Serie A season, fewer than any other team in Europe's top five leagues and their respective second tiers.

Pisa's last Serie A home match against Juventus ended in a 5-1 defeat in January 1991, with Pierluigi Casiraghi scoring a hat-trick and Roberto Baggio netting a brace. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Pisa – 16.1%

Draw – 21.6%

Juventus – 62.3%